Concrete Pavement Progress
www.acpa.org4
ONE OF THE REMARKABLE FEATURES OF CONCRETE
is its durability, and so, when a
concrete pavement meets or exceeds its design life, it’s hard not to think of the people
responsible for that milestone. One question that comes to mind is whether at the
outset of a project, the people who specify, design, and place the pavement stop to
think it might last a generation … or longer?
Regardless of the answer, the reality is that many agencies/owners and contractors are
doing just that—building something that will last a generation or possiblymany genera-
tions, and increasingly, are restoring/preserving the pavement to last even longer. The
common theme of this issue of
CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROGRESS
is construction
with an eye on the future, weighing the decisions and factoring in sustainability, per-
formance, and other factors to produce pavements that meet current and future needs
of people, communities, and the world around us.
One example of constructing with an eye on the future is our story, “High- and Low-
Tech Strategies Help Protect Wetlands.” In this story, we take a look at a trafficway
construction project in Lawrence, Kans., where the owner and contractor not only
worked together to deliver this much-needed facility, but also worked to protect some
natural wetlands and habitat. To get things done, the contractor used some of the latest
technology in paving, combined with … well, a low-tech way of getting things done!
Our second story, “Premature Joint Distress: West Des Moines Tests Possible Solu-
tions,” tells the story of a road construction project inWest Des Moines, Iowa, built to
support a Microsoft data center. This is another example of constructing with an eye
on the future, because this project may also hold the key to unlocking a problem with
joint damage caused by de-icing chemicals.
Finally, in our cover story, “Restoration Extends Life of Concrete Pavements,” we turn
our attention to Highlands Ranch, Colo., where planners had the perfect response of
what to do with a 35-year-old pavement that was experiencing some age-related issues.
ACPA is pleased to present these stories, and is eager to hear details about your projects,
too! Please let us hear how you’re building with an eye on the future!
An Eye on the Future
CONCRETE PAVEMENT
P
ROGRESS
Quarter 4
|
2016
Bill Davenport
American Concrete Pavement Association
bdavenport@acpa.org| 847.423.8703