Across the country, more and more agencies are turning to Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane (VRAM) to strengthen their repaving projects from the ground up. VRAM is a specialty asphalt product designed to reinforce longitudinal joints and rumble strips during construction, significantly delaying the need for costly repairs. To date, 28+ states and tens of thousands of lane miles have benefited from J-Band® VRAM.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the skilled contractors applying this innovation to our roads.
Specialized Construction, Inc.
Based in Northeast Ohio, Specialized Construction, Inc. (SCI) lives up to its name. The company is a full-service paving contractor that specializes in preventative treatments including Cold-In-Place Asphalt Recycling, Chip and Fog Sealing, Cold Planing, and of course, VRAM.
These innovative treatments center around a shared mission: preserving asphalt roadways. With the right treatment, on the right road, at the right time, SCI helps road owners maximize pavement life through cost-effective, community-friendly solutions.
A Long History of Reliable Performance
SCI’s roots stretch back to 1960, when it began as a family-owned asphalt paving business with just 10 employees. In 1998, the company passed to the next generation and adopted the name it’s known by today.
Since then, SCI has grown steadily, quadrupling in size and supporting municipalities with annual road programs across Ohio.
Recognizing the value of VRAM early on, SCI invested in custom distributor trucks to apply J-Band VRAM at scale. Since 2017, they have completed nearly 200 VRAM projects.
An Applicator’s Perspective: The Case for VRAM
We spoke with Jeremy Clink, SCI’s Operations Manager, who’s been with the company since 2006 and brings over 30 years of experience in the industry.
“I have paved over [VRAM] myself,” Clink says, “and I’m very impressed by how it does and how the asphalt pulls the material up to the joint after paving over it”.
He emphasizes VRAM’s performance in harsh northern climates:
“I think it’s a wonderful process, especially up here in Northeast Ohio and surrounding areas where we get hard winters. Instead of letting snow, moisture and salt eat at that joint, [VRAM will] hold it together and provides a moisture barrier for as long as the rest of the asphalt stays together”.
In Clink’s experience, VRAM can extend the life of the joint an additional 8-10 years, compared to untreated joints. “I’d put money on that, 100%”, he asserts.
Up in Northeast Ohio, there are lots of asphalt joints paved on top of a concrete overlay. These typically last about 6-8 years before they start to crack. He estimates that VRAM can double that lifespan.
VRAM applications for Westerville, Ohio in 2024 and 2019
A Skilled Team at Work
SCI’s success wouldn’t be possible without the operators behind the wheel. Mike McGlynn, Howard Mandley, and Ed Johnson are key team members who have reliably executed precise VRAM applications across thousands of feet of roadway.
Reflecting on the whole SCI team, Clink shares, “We’ve had great feedback from different companies we’ve worked for. The phone keeps on ringing — regardless of the year and the budgets”. SCI’s consistent track record of awards backs him up.
The company has won the Quality Asphalt Paving Award from Flexible Pavement of Ohio for seven consecutive years.
Curious to learn more? Explore how two Ohio cities are sustaining long-term VRAM programs, with SCI as their primary applicator. Read Here.
