The state of Vermont is undertaking the most expensive paving project in its history on a 15-mi. stretch of Interstate 89. The job, which runs from Montpelier south to Brookfield, has a price tag of $8.2 million.
The project’s goal is to repair damage caused by frost heaves. Although drivers in northern climes deal with frost heaves every winter, they are often much more than just a seasonal affliction. Once the damage is done, they can leave year-round scars.
Pike Industries, a paving company with offices throughout northern New England, is the primary contractor. Work on a section of the road with the most urgent needs started on Sept. 4, while the remainder of it will wait for next spring after the weather warms up, according to Dawn Hutchins, contract administrator for Pike. The entire project should be finished by Oct. 12, 2002. She explained that only the northbound lane is included in the project. Work on the southbound lane was completed several years ago. Only one lane of northbound traffic will be affected at a time. Subsequently, no crossovers or detours will be needed.
Frost heaves are created when water is trapped beneath the road and freezes during the winter months. The pavement buckles because the water cannot escape. This often happens when gravel or sand found in the subsurface does not allow water to drain properly or if there are no ditches for drainage. Problems are also exacerbated when the original subsurface material is not replaced during earlier repairs. Once the frost heaves have run their course, they turn into potholes, another bane for motorists.
“Unfortunately being in a more hilly area, there are lots of underground streams that cause problems. But there is not much you can do about it, other than putting better drainage beneath it. It depends on how deep the frost goes,” explained Hutchins.
A large amount of the project will involve a cold plane shim overlay, in which the old asphalt will be removed and a new layer added, eliminating bumps, ruts and other irregularities on the surface. Approximately 10 or 11 in. (25.4 or 27.9 cm) of pavement will be removed, clear down to the subgrade, said Ron Miller, Vermont construction manager for Pike Industries. All new asphalt base courses will then be added. As for the section that has already been completed, approximately 3 in. of pavement has been cold planed, down to the shim and binder courses. New culverts, guardrails and shoulders also will be added.
The project will require a large volume of hot mix. By the time it is completed, a massive 159.5 tons (144 t) of asphalt will have been used. Pike is using 100 Gyration Superpave mix, which Miller said creates a challenge for the work crew.
“It is very hard to maintain for compaction,” he said. Nonetheless, it will still allow Pike to follow the requirements laid down by Vermont Department of Transportation (VTrans).
A number of subcontractors are also working on the project. Chris Davidson Inc. of Piermont, NH, will build the drainage, while L&D Safety Markings, based in Montpelier, VT, is doing the striping. Others include F.R. Lafayette of Essex Junction, VT, on the guardrails; Nicon Coating Corporation of Montpelier, VT; and Surface Preparation Technology of Mechanicsburg, PA.
“The road is distressed and the feeling for VTrans is that the pavement is close to a massive failure,” Miller explained.
A large number of equipment brands will be used, Miller continued. Pike is utilizing Ingersoll-Rand and Caterpillar machinery for cold planers, Blaw-Knox paving machines and three different kinds of compactors: Caterpillar, Hyster and Hahn, also will be used according to Miller.
During the winter months, both lanes of traffic will be open to traffic and winter maintenance, such as snow plowing. Next spring, the new asphalt will be coated and striped, which Miller said will amount to about a couple weeks of work. Bridges along the route will be affected only minimally, he said.
Although the project sets a record for paving in Vermont, Pike has undertaken similar projects in other northeastern states, so it is not at all unusual for the company to be doing something of this scope. Paving is the niche that Pike has established in the construction industry.
“This is our bread and butter,” said Miller.
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