About this project:
On June 15th, 2022, the City of Westerville, Ohio performed VRAM application on multiple roads within the city. These roads included Ashford Drive, Patricia Drive, Maplebrooke Drive, Center Street, and Susan Avenue. The prime paving contractor for this project was Strawser Paving Inc. of Columbus Ohio. The VRAM Applicator was Specialized Construction, Inc., based in Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio.
VRAM is typically applied at 18” wide, however for this project, the application width was targeted at 15” wide.
The paving process began after the VRAM application that started with Ashford Drive. The final finished asphalt surface had a noticeable shadow visible along the centerline where VRAM had been applied below it. This is visual confirmation that the VRAM has migrated up into the mat filling voids.
Validity of VRAM
VRAM, a Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane, is applied to the longitudinal joint in order to reduce permeability in the most critical area of the road, as well as reduce maintenance. VRAM is applied at the time of construction under the surface. As it migrates upwards due to the heat of the hot asphalt it fills voids and reduces permeability.
J-Band® is a VRAM product from Asphalt Materials, Inc. and was created in the labs of the Heritage Research Group. VRAM has been helping roads last longer since 2002 and has been used in 22 States and The District of Columbia.
J-Band is an investment for asphalt roads, and helps infrastructure dollars go further, since the roads can last up to five years longer than roads without VRAM. It delivers a return on investment of 3 to 5 times its initial cost.
Editor’s Notes: VRAM, Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane, is referred to in Illinois as LJS, Longitudinal Joint Sealant.
