One of the big challenges in road management is making the most of limited funding. With road networks in a constant state of deterioration, staying ahead requires smart planning and efficient use of resources. Fortunately, pavement preservation techniques and material innovations are helping road managers stretch their budgets further than ever before.
In Morgan County, Indiana, the County Highway Department team is taking a forward-thinking approach to road infrastructure management. Located just southwest of Indianapolis, the Morgan County Highway Department is responsible for about 700 miles of roadways. Their southern territory is largely rural, while the northern area includes an extensive sprawl of subdivisions.
Justin, Morgan County’s County Engineer, previously served as a bridge design engineer. Now responsible for a vast road network, he is focused on implementing efficient and safe solutions. “Products like VRAM help us extend the life of our pavements and spend less money on maintenance further down the line,” Justin explains.
VRAM, or void reducing asphalt membrane, is a pre-preservation treatment that significantly reduces air voids in longitudinal joints from the bottom up. This extends the life of the joint and subsequently improves the overall performance of the pavement. The following Morgan County project incorporates the VRAM, J-Band®, in the paving of roads within a subdivision.
Project Details
- Owner: Morgan County
- Prime Paving Contractor: Milestone Contractors
- VRAM Applicator: Evergreen Roadworks (Illiana)
- Location: Heartland Crossing subdivision in Camby, IN
- VRAM Application: October 25, 2024
- Paving Operation: October 28-30, 2024
VRAM Application
On a sunny 65°F Friday at noon, Evergreen began applying the VRAM, J-Band, within the Heartland Crossing subdivision. Nine separate road sections had been previously milled, revealing a rough base course. J-Band was then applied to each section’s swept milled surface at a target rate of 0.95 lb./ft. in an 18-inch band at the location of the future longitudinal joint.
On this temperate day, the VRAM cooled from 300°F to 125°F in three minutes, allowing traffic to pass over the band well within the specified 30-minute window.
Personnel present at the J-Band application included Tim Zahrn and Nate Jenkins of Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI), who joined Morgan County Engineer Justin Schneck to oversee the process. Cullen and Boz of Evergreen Roadworks (Illiana) applied the VRAM, while Brad from Milestone managed flagging. Milestone Superintendent Steve was also on-site.
Paving Observations
Hot mix asphalt (HMA) paving began at 8:10 am the next Monday under the supervision of Milestone’s paving foreman, Jared Staggs. At the start, the ambient temperature was 37°F. The paving process began with a full-width tack coat, followed by a 1.5-inch fine-graded mix for the surface course.
The VRAM showed no sign of damage over the weekend. Equipment used was a CAT AP655F paver, a CAT CB13 steel drum roller and a Volvo DD25B steel drum roller. The rolling pattern consisted of the CAT CB13 working in static mode from low to high with 5 passes. The Volvo DD25B roller was only used inside the Cul-de-Sacs.
Driven by Morgan County’s commitment to long-lasting roads, Milestone, Evergreen, Asphalt Materials, Inc. and the J-Band team collaborated to create safer, more durable and cost-effective roadways for the Heartland Crossing community.
With J-Band protecting the longitudinal joint, the lifespan of the asphalt overlay can extend an additional 3-5 years beyond the typical 15 years. Combined with expert HMA paving, these roads feature a highly resilient joint that will stand the test of time, saving the county from expensive maintenance costs.
On the average roadway, every $1 invested in J-Band saves agencies $2 in deferred maintenance and repairs. For a closer look at the potential impact on your road network, check out our Return-on-Investment calculator here.
Editor’s Notes:
J-Band® is a registered trademark of Asphalt Materials, Inc. J-Band® was created in the labs of the Heritage Research Group (HRG) and is a product of Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI).
