On June 16, a convoy of U.S. military vehicles will leave San Francisco and follow the 3,250 mile route of the 1919 First Transcontinental Motor Train through 13 states before reaching Washington, D.C. June 29, as part of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials� anniversary celebration of today�s interstate highway system.

Families also are celebrating their summer ritual of vacation travel as they head out to the highways to enjoy fun, sun and summer recreation.

To promote how the Interstate highway enables families to vacation together, ACPA created the �Great American Family Road Trip Essay Contest� to encourage travelers to recall family vacation experiences � including how concrete pavements factored into those experiences � while driving across America or to a favorite vacation destination.

From June 16, 2006 through September 4, 2006, contestants will have the chance to enter a 500-word essay about a family road trip to win one of several prizes: a $500 gas gift card; a $250 gas gift card; a $100 gas gift card; and two $50 gift cards. Ten entrants, whose essays will be deemed Honorable Mentions, will be awarded road atlases. To enter the contest and download the official entry blank, visitors can click on the link for �Great American Family Road Trip Essay Contest� at www.pavement.com.

Concrete pavements were and are a pivotal part of the Interstate highway system and the American travel experience. Nearly 300 million cubic yards of durable, efficient, and environmentally-friendly concrete was used to create the original Interstate system, according to Gerald F. Voigt, ACPA president and chief executive officer.

Today, concrete is the paving material of choice for many motorists, roadbuilders, and departments of transportation as the only environmentally friendly pavement designed to reduce congestion associated with the perpetual repairs, maintenance, and reconstruction associated with petroleum-based asphalt pavements. Concrete gets motorists where they need to go safely, quickly, and stress-free.

ACPA is the national trade association for the concrete pavement industry. The primary mission of the ACPA and its affiliated chapter/state network is to advocate the use of concrete pavements in highways, airfields, and roadways throughout the United States.

Note: No purchase is necessary. The Great American Family Road Trip is sponsored by the American Concrete Pavement Association and is open to legal residents of the United States, 21 years of age or older as of 6/16/06. Void where prohibited by law. For rules, visit www.pavement.com. Starts at 12:01 a.m. CST on 06/16/06 and ends at 5:00 p.m. CST on 09/04/06.

Media Contact:
Bill Davenport
847-966-2272
American Concrete Pavement Association