Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/187662
materials lab." Bernardino also praised the help and guidance of Dr. James Signore of the University of California Pavement Research Center. "We all have come to a better understanding of LLAP specifications," Bernardino says, but he offered a word of caution to future bidders. "It will take three or more months just to complete the mix design portion. For those bidding the LLAP projects, make sure you read and understand these new specifications prior to bidding." Meanwhile, Caltrans identified another long-life asphalt pavement project on Interstate 80 in Solano County between the communities of Vacaville and Dixon on a busy interstate that connects the Sacramento area with the San Francisco Bay Area. The Carl Monismith with the University of California Pavement Research Center directed a engineer's estimate for the project is $45 million, and report that evaluated the 710 long-life asphalt pavement project and presented on the it was awarded to venerable California road-builder report's findings at numerous forums. Teichert Construction, which has been in business tolerances also were tightened in the specification and difficult continuously in the Golden State since 1887. The company to meet, Handley says. proudly bears California contractor License No. 8. Shortly Another unique feature of the Red Bluff project was the after his company won the competition to build the project, complex and expensive traffic control measures that were longtime Teichert materials expert Ron Stickel was asked his necessary to keep traffic flowing on a major interstate durreaction. "A lot of testing," he says. ing construction. The traffic control included lane changes, As was done for the I-5 and I-710 projects, Caltrans District switchovers and the use of California Highway Patrol (CHP) 4, which covers the Bay Area, scheduled an informational preofficers to ensure motorists were driving safely through work bid meeting for prospective bidders. The asphalt industry sent zones. Faced with such difficult constraints, Tullis ended up subject-matter experts to provide "best practices" information utilizing a closed lane to deposit the asphalt on one side of the from previous projects in California and elsewhere. freeway barrier and then using a shuttle-buggy to scoop up With the LLAP strategy taking hold in California, it's clear and deposit the asphalt on the other side of the freeway. That that the many lessons learned from the first few projects will innovative bit of staging, plus consistency and keeping control come in handy again and again. of the mix, enabled Tullis to keep the project running smoothFor more information about long-life asphalt pavements, visit the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA) site ly, Handley says. at calapa.net. Feedback from the other I-5 LLAP contractor, J.F. Shea, who About the authors: Bob Humer is the regional engineer for the Asphalt performed the work on the project near Weed, was also positive. Institute. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in California. Russell W. Snyder "The LLPP that we are currently working on is the first is executive director of the California Asphalt Pavement Association.v project of its kind in Northern California, where we have a lot of variables to deal with such as climate, aggregates and now a new specification in California's competitive market," says Photos courtesy of the National Asphalt Pavement Association and California Asphalt Pavement Association Juan Bernardino, plant manager for J.F. Shea Construction Inc. WEB EXTRA: Only at www.BetterRoads.com. Long-life "During this project, we had a lot of hurdles to jump over, but asphalt pavement: Red Bluff lessons. Caltrans Senior we were able to succeed thanks to our construction manageEngineer Sean Shepard (I-5 Red Bluff job) and Caltrans ment, crews, plant personnel, office staff and the help of our Resident Engineer John Bailey (I-5 Weed job) share lessons learned on the Long-life Asphalt Pavement materials consultant, CGI Technical Service, along with a good Projects on Interstate 5. working relationship with Caltrans and the Caltrans District 2 Better Roads October 2013 27 HighwayContractor_BR1013.indd 27 9/30/13 2:11 PM