SUPERPAVE SUPER PROJECTS

Each year, the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) recognizes construction excellence through its paving awards program. Projects nominated stress smoothness while using Superpave mix design. One project being considered for a Quality in Construction Award is a publicly funded design-build project on E-470, a tollway near Denver, Colorado. The asphalt mix utilized a Superpave three-quarter fine mix with an optimum oil content of 4.9%. In addition to expecting high quality, the tollway authority demanded value from the construction and long-term performance of the longitudinal joints. To achieve this, several joint construction techniques were used, as well as varying roller patterns, special end gates, and a joint matcher. Special attention was also placed on crew training and awareness to ensure construction of quality joints. Finally, a 20-ft (6-m) rigid screed was used to completely eliminate the longitudinal joint at the centerline. Sidebars highlight two other projects in NAPA's competition: a project to widen six bridges, construct two third lanes, and build a new concrete barrier wall on a 5.95-mi (9.57-km) section of the Ohio Turnpike; and the overlay of SR-15 near Goshen, Indiana.