USE OF POROUS ASPHALT CONTINUES TO GROW
The emphasis on environmental sustainability continues to grow in Colorado. As a result, we are seeing significant interest in the use of porous asphalt. Porous asphalt for parking lots has proven to reduce stormwater runoff and the need for stormwater retention. A number of porous asphalt parking lots here in Colorado are either under construction or are in the planning/design phase. For more information on using porous asphalt for LEED credit or for technical information, contact Tom Clayton at (303) 741-6150 or at tomclayton@co-asphalt.com.
ADVISORY ISSUED ON NEED FOR AC PRICE ADJUSTMENT PROVISION – 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.
USING RAP IN TOP LIFT OF PAVING 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.
NATIONWIDE POLYMER AND ASPHALT SHORTAGE
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
WARM MIX ASPHALT AVAILABILITY & RESOURCES – CAPA’s Research Engineer Denis Donnelly has developed a brief document entitled Warm Mix Asphalt Availability & Resources. The document briefly explains warm mix asphalt, its use, and contact information for the different types of warm mix asphalt technology.
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