Use of RAP Continues to Increase on Colorado Highways  A record 134,472 tons of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) was placed on Colorado highways as part of 2011 asphalt paving projects. 71% of allowable RAP was used at an average rate of 17%. “CDOT supports efforts to increase the use of recycled products and we are pleased to see the numbers continue to increase,” stated Jim Zufall, CDOT Staff Materials Engineer. The current CDOT specification allows 20% RAP in the top mat and 25% in lower lifts. (CDOT RAP Specification) (2011 CDOT RAP Summary Usage)
Changes Proposed to CDOT Compaction Temperature Restrictions  A joint CAPA/CDOT Task Force effort has been working over the winter to consider changes to the Sec. 401.17 Compaction Temperature specification. The asphalt industry through CAPA has requested a change to allow rolling at lower temperatures. “Having the flexibility to continue rolling at lower temperatures is beneficial on some mixes and some paving conditions,” stated Tom Clayton, CAPA Director of Training & Member Services. “Achieving the specified density requirement and getting roller marks should be the primary goal,” Clayton added. The proposed specification will allow compaction of unmodified AC mixes below 185°F and the compaction of modified AC mixes below 230°F provided the Contractor can demonstrate that there is no damage to the finished mat. (View Proposed Specification)
Grading SX is Colorado’s Most Common Asphalt Mix Type Over 90% of the asphalt mixes specified on Colorado highways in 2012 will be the Grading SX (1/2”) nominal maximum asphalt aggregate size (NMAS). This is in comparison to the larger Grading S (3/4”) NMAS. “With the Superpave aggregate criteria, rutting has all been eliminated using either the S or SX mixes and with more asphalt binder, the Grading SX provides improved durability with better joints and less segregation on surface mixes,” stated Tom Clayton, CAPA Director of Technical Services. (More info)
Asphalt Industry Forum - Task ForcesThe Colorado DOT and CAPA cooperate in a very comprehensive partnership to continually refine and improve hot mix asphalt specifications, test methods and contracting practices. Listed below are several on going efforts that are being worked on through the process. CAPA/CDOT Task Force Tracking Report has been updated in January 2011 and is available.
Colorado DOT Evaluation of Warm Mix Asphalt Technology Three-Year Evaluation of Colorado Department of Transportation's Warm-Mix Asphalt Experimental Feature on I-70 in Silverthorne, Colorado (40 pgs.)
CDOT 2012 Asphalt Pavement Projections – 1.2 M tons: CDOT is projecting the use of 1.2 Million tons of asphalt pavement being placed on state highways in 2012. This is up from a projection of 851,000 tons in 2011. The projection is preliminary and does not include a few additional projects expected to be added from recent increases to Surface Treatment funding for 2012. (2012 Pavement Projection)
Asphalt Paving Leading to Smoother Roads – Contractors Exceeding Spec. Requirements HRI smoothness data from 2011 CDOT paving projects has been summarized (Summary Report). The average % Incentive for asphalt projects using Category I is 54% and the average % Incentive for Category II is 15.4%. Concrete paving, on the other hand, has a combined HRI Category I & II disincentive of -18.31%. (Smooth Roads Last Longer)
Recycling Regulations Update: The most recent draft Section 8 edits were discussed at the September 22 stakeholder meeting. Asphalt and concrete materials are exempt (with conditions) from the regulation – see attached. Additional comments on the conditions of exempt materials were presented and discussed. The next meeting is set for October 26. More info Wolf Kray, Environmental Protection Specialist Solid Waste and Materials Management Program, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division, CDHPE, (303) 692-3337, wkray@cdphe.state.co.us
CDOT Funding – Increase Expected to FY 2012 Surface Treatment Program: A focus of discussion at the monthly Colorado Transportation Commission workshop held on September 21 was the allocation of $229.1 Million of additional funds. Three different alternatives are under consideration by the Commission. The minimum additional funding increase for the FY 2012 Surface Treatment is $90 M. The Commission will make a decision at the October meeting which of three Alternatives to approve. (More Info) (Related Story)
Additional $118 Million/Yr Needed to Maintain Current Highway Condition Levels The Colorado Transportation Commission was told that only 48% of the statewide highway system is in Good/Fair Condition and that an investment of $315 M/year is needed just to maintain current condition levels. Stephen Henry, CDOT Pavement Management Engineer, presented pavement management data and stated that at current funding levels ($197 M/year) pavement condition will deteriorate and that an additional $118 M/yr or a total of $315 M/yr is needed just to maintain the current condition level of 48% Good/Fair. CDOT estimates that $400 M/year is needed to meet the Commission goal of 60% Good/Fair and 40% Poor. CDOT Pavement Management System PP Presentation PMS Executive Summary.
CDOT Approved Products List July 2011
CDOT has updated the "Approved Products list". A link to the CDOT web page is available HERE
FY2012 Maintenance Work – Machine Patch/Chip Seal/Overlay/Mill-Fill – The Transportation Commission approved the CDOT FY2012 Maintenance Project List for work greater than $50,000 but less than or equal to $150,000. The list of projects is summarized by region, totals $16,014,725, and consists primarily of overlay, mill/fill, machine patch, and chip seal. (Project List)
|
