Alabama DOT- Tuscaloosa Division, US 82 Project wins AEMA Past President’s Award

AEMA President, Bob Huitt, presents Matt Jeffers, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, with the 2023 AEMA Past President’s Award for Excellence.  Photo by Tom Kuennen, courtesy of FP2.

GLEN ELLYN, IL, March 22, 2023 – At the 50th Annual Meeting of the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA), February 27-March 3, 2023, the Alabama Department of Transportation, and Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions were awarded the 2023 AEMA Past President’s Award for Emulsion Excellence for their US 82 Project.

This award is presented in recognition of a specific project utilizing asphalt emulsions completed in the past calendar year and is awarded to the agency, contractor, and emulsion manufacturer of the winning entry.

The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) used rut fill, leveling and surface course with micro surfacing on US 82. This project marked ALDOT’s second time utilizing a micro surfacing emulsion as a rut fill solution. By utilizing a rut fill with micro surfacing followed by two additional lifts of micro surfacing as level and surface course ALDOT was able to save over $2.3 million over more traditional methods like a mill and fill.

The project started the week of June 27, 2022 and finished the week of August 8, 2022. Ruts were filled with a mixture of the CQS-1HP micro surfacing emulsion and Type III aggregate.   Following the rut fill, micro surfacing was applied in two lifts. The first lift was applied to level the profile of the roadway, and the second would serve as a surface course for enhanced durability. A pilot car was used to direct traffic through the project to help with traffic control. The micro surfacing in each section was able to support traffic within one hour.

ABOUT THE ASPHALT EMULSION MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (AEMA):

The Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA), founded in 1973, is an international non-profit trade association of asphalt emulsion producers and sellers, suppliers, users, research personnel, public officials, consulting engineers, and contractors working together to promote the increased and more efficient use of asphalt emulsions.

AEMA is a founding member of the Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance along with the Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association and the International Slurry Surfacing Association. PPRA is a partnership of leading industry associations (AEMA, ARRA, ISSA) to advance sustainable, eco efficient, and innovative pavement applications.

To learn more, visit www.aema.org or call us at 630-942-6579.