CDOT QUALIFIED BINDER SUPPLIERS
An updated (September 11, 2008) Approved Products List (APL) 2008 CDOT Qualified Binder Suppliers includes the following new additions.
Mountain States Materials (WY)
PG 58-28, PG 58-34, PG 64-22, PG 70-28 and PG 76-28
NuStar (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
PG 58-28, PG 64-22, PG 70-28
Valero (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Tentative PG 58-28, PG 64-22
CDOT DEVELOPS GUIDANCE ON CHANGE MODIFICATION ORDERS FOR BINDER CHANGES
Construction Bulletin 2008 Number 9 entitled CMO Guidelines for HMA/SMA/AC Binder Grade Changes, Source Changes, or Both (dated August 21, 2008) provides guidance for writing contract modification orders (CMOs) to construction contracts for HMA, SMA, and AC binder grade changes, source changes, or both. The Bulletin is to be used in conjunction with Construction Bulletins 2008-6, Polymer and Asphalt Cement Shortages and 2008-8, Changing Binder Grade, Source, or Both. All are attached. The newest Bulleting states that …
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The Contractor must document “due diligence”
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The AC Cost Adjustment Specification CAN NOT be added to projects retroactively
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How payment is handled using certified invoices
NAPA MEETING PROVIDES INSIGHT ON MATERIAL SHORTAGE
The NAPA Mid Year Meeting in Colorado Springs included two excellent presentations on the supply and availability of asphalt and polymer. Bill Haverland from ConocoPhillips presented on AC Supply and Ron Corun of NuStar and the 2008 President – Association of Modified Asphalt Producers, spoke on Polymer Supply. Both presentations are available from the CAPA website.
MODIFIERS ASSOCIATION ISSUES GUIDANCE ON POLYMERS
The Association of Modified Asphalt Producers (AMAP) has investigated the shortage of styrene butadiene (SBS) polymer and have developed a White Paper on the subject. The White Paper, entitled SBS Polymer Supply Outlook. The intent of this paper is to help the HMA industry understand the situation and provides suggestions on possible alternatives to SBS polymers.
CDOT ISSUES STATEMENT ON AGGREGATE SHORTAGE
Colorado DOT has issued a letter that recognizes the limited long term supply of permitted aggregate sources. In a letter dated July 30, 2008, CDOT Executive Director Russell George stated, “CDOT supports the aggregate industry’s efforts to secure, operate, and maintain adequate and economical supplies of these resources.” The CDOT Aggregate Shortage Letter is available from the CAPA website.
CDOT STUDY: MINIMAL IMPROVEMENT WHEN USING POLYMER – A CDOT report completed in October, 2007 evaluated the benefit of using polymer modified asphalt (PMA). The CDOT PMA Study concluded that on average the performance improvement of using polymer modified asphalt is 0.7 years (cracking) and no difference in rutting. Jay Goldbaum at CDOT is the contact person at (303) 398-6561.
– CAPA has issued an AC Price Adjustment Provision Advisory UPDATED that explains the need for the AC Price Adjustment Provision. The Advisory includes the following statement:
It is our recommendation that an asphalt (AC) price adjustment provision be included on all asphalt related contracts in Colorado. Not including the provision in contracts is likely to result in a lack of bidders and significantly higher costs.
The rising cost of asphalt has also spurred changes within agencies to use higher percentages of reclaimed (recycled) asphalt pavement (RAP) and to allow its use in the top lift of paving. A number of agencies have made recent changes to eliminate barriers to using RAP in the top lift of paving and/or to increase the allowable percent of RAP. CDOT has implemented a specification change to allow 20% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in all lifts of paving. The joint CCA/CDOT Specification approved the change at its June 5 meeting. The CDOT justification report included the following statement; 
Nationally, 20% RAP has long been allowed in the top lift of asphalt mats. CDOT previously allowed up to 15% RAP in the top lift while studies regarding binder aging of RAP were done. Studies have shown that 20% RAP can safely be used in the top mat without introducing thermal cracking. The RAP Task Force felt that there were enough controls in place, enough study data, and enough experience with RAP that CDOT could increase the use of RAP to 20% in the top lift.
It has been brought to our attention that that there is a nationwide shortage of polymer. SemMaterials LP, a leading supplier of the material for polymer modified asphalt (PMA), stated that the shortage is due to: (1) - the lack of feed stocks required to produce butadiene, (2) - the closing of two polymer facilities in Europe and (3) - the continued high demand for raw materials in China and India.
In addition to the polymer deficiency, the industry is also facing a national asphalt shortage. Although various regions of the country will be affected differently, the fact remains that in 2008 there is not as much asphalt supply available as in years past. This is primarily because it is more profitable for refineries to run light crude streams as opposed to heavy crudes. The yield from light crude streams is less, and that is reducing the amount of asphalt available to the market. We believe that refiners will begin to run heavier crude streams which will increase asphalt supply. Once this shift to heavier crude streams has been made, it will take thirty to forty-five days before additional asphalt barrels reach the market; therefore, the supply of asphalt for the 2008 paving season is going to be short. However, the available supply should begin to improve in the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009.
THE BENEFIT OF PRICE ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS
With the rising cost of diesel fuel, propane, other construction fuels and asphalt binder the use and benefit of price adjustment provision for these products will continue to increase. CAPA has worked with CDOT and CCA to develop price adjustment or escalation provisions (or escalator/index) for these products. We encourage all owner agencies to consider their use on future contracts.
AC Price Adjusment Provision - AC Paid with HMA
AC Price Adjustment Provision - AC Paid separately
Fuel Cost Adjustment Provision
The Colorado DOT has submitted a specification change to allow 20% reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in all lifts of paving. The CDOT Materials Advisory Committee voted unanimously to make this change. The CDOT justification report included the following statement;
Nationally, 20% RAP has long been allowed in the top lift of asphalt mats. CDOT previously allowed up to 15% RAP in the top lift while studies regarding binder aging of RAP were done. Studies have shown that 20% RAP can safely be used in the top mat without introducing thermal cracking. The RAP Task Force felt that there were enough controls in place, enough study data, and enough experience with RAP that CDOT could increase the use of RAP to 20% in the top lift.
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Proposed FINAL General Permit for Hot Mix Asphalt Production Facilities has been developed jointly between CAPA and the state CDHPE Air Pollution Control Division. The general permit is intended to streamline the permitting process and reduce the time and cost of permitting. Comments on the
proposed final permit can be directed to Tom Peterson at
tompeterson@co-asphalt.com
As of this date, our unit is issuing a revised version of the standard special provision, Revision of Sections 105, 202, 401, 406 & 601 Hot Mix Asphalt Pavement Roadway Smoothness (High Speed Profiler). This revised standard special provision should be used immediately on projects having HMA pavement. Please note, however, that “revision under ad” will not be required for projects that are already advertised.
This revised special provision can now be found in appropriate locations throughout the CDOT Design and Construction Project Support web site. You can also access it from one place in the CDOT Construction Specification Changes web page:
http://www.dot.state.co.us/DesignSupport/Construction/2005SpecsBook/2005index.htm
Please click on the hyperlink titled "Recently Issued Special Provisions" that is located near the bottom of the page.
I am attaching a new Index of Standard Special Provisions, for your reference.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Larry Brinck, Louis Avgeris, or Mohan Sagar.
