The Road Recycled: Full-Depth Reclamation with Cement

Deteriorating roads are a constant problem for most cities and counties. Tight budgets limit the options available to local transportation agencies. Many are turning to a process called full-depth recycling with cement; a method that converts old worn out asphalt pavements into new soil-cement bases. Recycling the road in-place is less expensive and environmentally more friendly than removing the old road and base material and replacing it with virgin aggregate. This a 5-minute video on the construction process includes several testimonials from county transportation officials highlighting its benefits.

[@ScaleCarModels]

Nice video thx for sharing!

[@superkunk2]

If the existing road is bad because of a bad base how will the new road be stronger?Your top is only as good as your bottom.

[@thesaus1975]

You will set the pulverizer deep enough to get the base as well.

[@tiredowalkin]

This is being done near our location and I'm seeing an alarming amount of soil/dirt in the base mix. This does not sit well with my experience, but then again, I'm not an engineer. Making concrete with top soil or dirt would not be my first choice of ingredient. Gravel and sand with cement would hold up better, as the contractor hauled in no additional base material for the road widening, they even just chewed up the side ditch dirt as the project calls for widening the road too. Not impressed with Milestone Contractors in Indiana.

[@toolman.dustin]

Three years later. how is this road holding up?

[@bufordt.justice4052]

@@toolman.dustin Very good sir. It remains the smoothest county road in the county. It was widened 4 feet for a pet food factory with increased semi truck traffic anticipated. I cannot complain about the process.

[@toolman.dustin]

Thanks for reply. My neighborhood investigating this as an option

[@bufordt.justice4052]

@@toolman.dustin The company was Mt Carmel Stabilization Group from Illinois, and work several states. They did about one mile per day when they were set up and running. They are sub contractors for a larger general contractor (Milestone in our area) I was skeptical, as it adjoins my farm and I'm very picky. The road is about five years old now, showing no signs of issues.

[@toolman.dustin]

@@bufordt.justice4052 Thanks for the info. I have contacted them and we'll see what develops.