Cut emissions and recycle excavated materials
Look after public safety
Crowborough
Over 5,000 sq m of road was recycled in Croft Road, Crowborough, cutting emissions and recycling excavated materials.
Strategic approach to road resurfacing
Less disruption during lockdown
Longer-lasting, reducing costs
CHALLENGE
Usually, roads like this would only be resurfaced. Longevity would not be ensured and asphalt would continue to crack due to poor road foundations. The road would need to be resurfaced again in two to three years – or even sooner.
THE RESULTS
Because East Sussex Highways and East Sussex Council take a strategic approach to road issues, they are investing in fixing underlying problems such as those found in road foundations or in the sub-base, meaning there will not need to be so many roadworks in the future.
PROJECT SCOPE
- We planed and excavated the carriageway, going deeper than some other highways companies by excavating the road to a depth of 280-390mm from existing levels, instead of only planning off 50mm to 80mm of asphalt.
- We supplied and laid recycled HBM (hydraulically bound mixtures) to an average depth of 290 mm
- We applied asphalt.
- We supplied, adjusted and replaced kerbs
- We reset and replaced granite sets and improved block paving.
- We spent eight weeks on site.
- 5,340 sq m of improvements were carried out.
- We saved on waste going to landfill and on the use of marine aggregates.
- Over £1m-worth of plant was deployed during the project
CARBON SAVINGS
This way of working, in line with Roadways’ ethical approach, creates roads built in a more environmentally friendly way.
Carbon savings are made by recycling materials dug from the existing broken road, not using aggregates from the sea or quarries.
This follows ‘circular economy’ principles of designing waste out of the environment, keeping materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.
Normally, asphalt contaminated with tar cannot be recycled back to hot asphalt as when it is heated it becomes carcinogenic, so unfortunately it often goes to landfill.
During this project all dug out material, including that contaminated with tar asphalt, was recycled and put back in the same road. The road as sub-base will be made of recycled dig-out plus adding recycled material strengthening agents.
This project will not only save on waste going to landfill but on the use of new aggregates and the carbon footprint of transportation and the effects on marine life from sea drenching it takes to get to site.
Over 20 highly skilled operatives, supervisors and engineers were involved.