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Every Day Counts Program Spotlights Missouri Concrete Overlay Project

Concrete Overlays in Missouri Save Time, Improve Safety

Concrete overlays can save significant amounts of time compared to traditional methods. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) learned just how much when it needed to resurface a nine-mile stretch of I-44 near Rolla, Missouri, part of the main connector between the Lake of the Ozarks and St. Louis. With the Lake of the Ozarks being a major recreation and vacation destination, construction-related traffic delays were a major concern; therefore, the contract specified 90 calendar days for completion. Two miles of the project involved milling 11 inches of the existing asphalt pavement and inlaying an 11-inch concrete overlay. Seven miles of the project involved placing an 8-inch unbonded concrete overlay using a geotextile fabric as the separation layer. The contractor paved 219,137 square yards of concrete in 47 days and turned over the project to the State in only 66 days.

To learn more about concrete overlays, visit the FHWA TOPS website or watch a recent webinar called “Concrete Overlays: A Proven Technology.” Webinar topics include an introduction to concrete overlays, challenges, maintaining existing pavements, the value proposition, how to get started, and project highlights. For additional information, contact Robert Conway, FHWA Resource Center.

(Reprinted from EDC Newsletter)

Reclaimed Fly Ash

Learn more about Reclaimed or ‘Harvested’ Fly Ash. Click on the screenshot below to be taken to the CP Tech Center’s website to view a short informative video.

FAA Posts Guidance on Discount Rate for Life Cycle Cost Analysis

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Program Guidance Letter (PGL) on June 29th clarifying how the discount rate for cost effectiveness analysis, also known as Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), should be determined. Cost effective analysis is appropriate to determine which pavement type is the most economical solution to repair or replace existing infrastructure.

According to the PGL, real discount rates from the latest OMB Circular A-94 should be used when performing a cost effectiveness analysis. The PGL also changes the requirement for a 20-year analysis period to allow the design engineer to choose an appropriate time period for the cost effectiveness analysis. A copy of OMB Circular A-94 for 2022 can be downloaded here.

Why Concrete Pavements?

Longest Lasting Pavement System

Concrete makes the most durable pavement system available. Concrete Roads, Highways, Bridges, and Industrial Site pavements can last more than 50 years .

Safety/Stronger Rut Resistant

Concrete is a rigid paving system. As a result it will not warp or rut from intense use or intense heat. This makes driving on concrete safer.

Naturally Sustainable

Because concrete pavements are stronger, and recover faster from disasters, these roads help deliver critical supplies to those in need without needing to wait for repairs.

Increased Fuel Efficiency

Concrete increases fuel efficiency by 3-7% for semi trucks (saving 40 gals/1000 mi. driven). There are similar savings in cars and light duty trucks.

Reflects More Light

Concrete has a high level of light reflectivity, making it safer to drive on at night. During the day, heat and light are reflected reducing urban heat islands.

Produced Locally

Concrete is produced locally, with local labor, supporting local communities, which is great for the economy.

100% Recyclable

Concrete is fully recyclable, more than 140 million tons of concrete are recycled and reused every year.

Smooth & Quiet

Concrete textures are engineered to stay smooth and quiet throughout a pavement’s life. This enables a better and safer grip and touch point for vehicle tires.

Check out this cool pavements video by clicking here.

ACPA National Awards Submittals

ACPA is now accepting submittals for the National Paving Awards program for projects completed in the calendar year 2021.  Submittals must be received by the deadline date of Friday, July 15th, 2022.  Please review the complete elgibility requirements by clicking here.

About the Paving Awards Program

The ACPA Annual Awards for Excellence in Concrete Pavement are designed to honor quality concrete pavements constructed in the United States and Canada each year. The awards program encourages high-quality workmanship in every concrete pavement project and serves as a forum for sharing information about highly successful projects.

The awards program recognizes contractors, engineers, and project owners who completed outstanding projects. Winning an Award for Excellence in Concrete Pavement provides the contractors, engineers, and owners with a level of prestige that can assist them in the development of future projects.

Judges will score all eligible projects and break any ties. Based on the judging results, two projets will be selected from each category to receive an award. A gold award will be given to the top scoring project in each category and a silver award to the second highest scoring project. Award winners will be notified they’ve won an award by email and letter, prior to the awards banquet. The award level (gold or silver) will be announced for the first time at the awards banquet.