Exceeding Expectations
High-Performance Highways
State-of-the-Art Runways
Beautiful Streets

This issue of CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESS showcases the winners of the silver-level "Excellence in Concrete Pavement Awards" presented by the American Concrete Pavement Association.

The project descriptions below highlight some of the outstanding workmanship and other fine points associated with placing and rehabilitating concrete pavements throughout the nation.

Concrete Keeps Traffic Moving … This project required multiple phases to complete reconstruction while accommodating heavy traffic flow. By using effective planning, however, the project team was able to incorporate concrete pavement construction while meeting the needs of motorists.

Originally built in the 1930's, the highway required the removal of 18 inches of asphalt overlay.

Additional challenges, such as an unplanned detour route, did not phase the project team—the contractor used a value engineering proposal with an on-site detour to save taxpayers six weeks of inconvenience and thousands of dollars.

Engineering Judgment Calls for Concrete ... The existing pavement on the Muskogee Turnpike in Wagoner County, Okla., included a faulting asphalt overlay that wasn't holding up to traffic. The project team used solid engineering judgment and leadership to make this project easier, cheaper, and faster than the original project plan to fix the ailing asphalt overlay. Originally, the project was to include more than $650,000 worth of barrier wall movements for paving 24' wide with no traffic. However, the contractor proposed paving 12' lanes directly next to traffic for maximum paving and driving efficiency.

The project included 48 lane miles of 3 in.-thin bonded concrete overlay, providing the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority with a longer-lasting solution and an improved ride.

In addition to the safety hazards of night paving, the site also included impalement hazards on sleeper slabs, limited access, and confined work areas for equipment.

Yet the contractor rose to the challenge by partnering with all stakeholders, rephrasing the original plan and saving time without sacrificing safety or quality.

ACPA recognized this project as the Silver Co-winner: Commercial Service & Military Airports, presented to (contractor) Granite Construction Company; (owner) Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW); and (engineer) DMJM Aviation.

Night paving with concrete pavement allowed flights to continue while construction occurred.

City Chooses Concrete Aesthetics ... Concrete pavement's aesthetics, as well as many safety, cost, and congestion mitigation benefits, led the City of Springfield, Ore., to choose it over asphalt for the four-lane arterial connection between two busy parts of town.

The City conducted a 40-year life cycle cost analysis and chose concrete pavement for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway and Roundabout construction based on its projected low maintenance costs, as well as the additional potential to save on lighting and energy.

This project included the first complete multi-lane roundabout in the state, chosen for its aesthetics, vehicle capacity, and ability to improve the intersection's safety. This project is part of a ten-year program in commuting and transportation improvements.

Avenue Overhaul Completed in Time for Golf Tournament ... This project upgraded Kelly Avenue from an existing four-lane undivided asphalt arterial roadway into a divided four-lane route with center medians, major landscaping, and decorative sidewalks—all delivered on time to facilitate traffic generated by a major golf tournament.

Project work included removing 6 to 8 inches of asphalt surface, excavate to new grades, installing all new storm drainage structures, install 8 inches of fly ash modified subgrade, place a 3-in. asphalt base course, and then placing a surface course of 9-in. jointed plain doweled concrete pavement. Challenges included accommodating traffic, side streets, and businesses and commercial driveways along the way.Yet the project team worked closely to complete all activities 59 days early.

Concrete Pavement Replaces Asphalt for Corridor Improvement ... Concrete pavement was chosen for its versatility for the Reconstruction of Routes 36 and 408 in the village of Mt. Morris and towns of Mt. Morris and Leicester in Livingston County, N.Y.

The scope included replacing the existing asphalt with new concrete pavement on several routes critical for local tourism, businesses, and commuters.

The project team used high early-strength concrete for early reopening of all pavements.

Persistence, Consistency Pay Off ... Constant communication among stakeholders and with the City of St. Charles Public Works Department ensured this project was a smooth one, both in end-product and in minimizing impact on the traveling public.

This project extended North Fifth Street in St. Charles, Mo., a total of 4,892 linear feet to the north, including the construction of a 530-ft.-long bridge and a number of aesthetic improvements for a long-lasting, eye-pleasing product.

The contractor consistently worked with stakeholders to ensure quality. Concrete slump and air content were continually monitored at the batch plant; fine and coarse aggregate gradation was constantly checked for standards; and cement, fine, and coarse aggregate proportions also were monitored.

The construction team implemented a number of quality measures at all stages of construction to ensure quality. Among these efforts were a central mix plant next to the project site and close attention to trackline placement.

Despite hold-ups from a separate contract to fill existing coal mines, as well as the challenge of varied lane width at ramps and side roads, the project team opened the route six weeks early.