Innovation a hallmark of I-90 reconstruction project

A five-mile section of concrete pavement on the eastbound side of the New York State Thruway, on Interstate 90, between Hamburg and Eden has been functioning as a testing ground for unbonded concrete overlay. It was slated for reconstruction in 2004, and since then it has been the focus of awareness building and educational efforts, with a high level of innovation and productivity. Stringless paving and mechanical dowel bar insertion were introduced to the project - two technical advances that were brand new at the time and afforded the opportunity to use a highly automated system using machines to communicate with each other by onboard computers with pinpoint accuracy. The In-The-Pan Dowel Bar Inserter (IDBI) was another new technology that was used, eliminating traditional dowel basket assemblies. Challenges were met head-on, and since the project's completion in 2012 it has won the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA)'s top honor for excellence in concrete paving. It has spurred interest in future concrete overlays, proving that concrete pavement has its place in highway construction.

• Authors:
  • Bradford, Matthew
• Publication Date: 2013

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: pp 8-11
• Serial:
  • Concrete Pavement Progress
  • Publisher: American Concrete Pavement Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automation; Case studies; Concrete overlays; Dowels (Fasteners); Experimental roads; Innovation; Reconstruction
• Identifier Terms: Interstate 90
• Uncontrolled Terms: Stringless paving; Unbonded concrete overlays
• Geographic Terms: Buffalo (New York); Hamburg (New York); Upstate New York
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Materials; Pavements; I32: Concrete; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01515289
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 21 2014 3:18PM