Highway Department recognized for various construction techniques
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 28, 2017
Contact: Brandon Strand (608) 609-8024
Madison – The Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association (WAPA) announced today that the Marathon County Highway Department was the recipient of the 2017 Local Government Asphalt Award for advancing innovation in asphalt pavements. The Department was recognized today (November 28) at a ceremony during the association’s 58th Annual Conference in Madison, WI.
The Marathon County Highway Department is dedicated to quality and has utilized multiple construction techniques on its projects to provide the best product for an efficient price. Examples include using thin asphalt overlays to extend service life and cold in-place recycling.
Interest in thin overlays is growing because of their ability to improve ride quality, reduce pavement distresses, maintain surface geometrics, reduce noise levels, reduce life-cycle road costs, and provide long-lasting service.
Thin asphalt overlays are a pavement preservation tool designed for use when surface cracking occurs while the pavement is still in structurally sound condition. “Thin asphalt overlays are a proven method for extending the life of pavement structures that are still in serviceable shape,” said Brandon Strand, Executive Director for WAPA. “It’s estimated that thin overlays extend the life of road by up to 10 years, as opposed to costly reconstructions.”
Asphalt is 100% recyclable and the most recycled product in the country, saving American taxpayers over $2 billion a year, and Marathon County has taken advantage of asphalt sustainability by replacing the virgin liquid asphalt binder with binder reactivated from old pavements.
“We commend Marathon County for deciding when to choose thin asphalt overlays, selecting materials, designing the mixes, ensuring construction and quality control while being good stewards of the environment to get the best roads possible for the taxpayer,” Strand concluded.
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“Asphalt. Wisconsin rides on us.” Established in 1948, WAPA is a statewide, non-profit organization representing the interests of the asphalt industry on a wide range of issues related to asphalt design, construction, maintenance, specifications, costs, marketing, and policy at the local, state and federal levels. WAPA’s mission is to make asphalt the pavement of choice by promoting quality pavements that are safe, environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
For more information, please visit www.wispave.org or contact Brandon at strand@wispave.org