accelerating, adding to pavement distress. In the past, the area has required regular pavement maintenance. Now in its fourth summer, the HiMod test site is still holding strong. “This new mixture defies everything I studied about asphalt in school,” Howard said. “But what I was taught in school was based on binders of the past, before we had polymers. With stronger glue, it didn’t make sense to keep doing the same things we’ve always done with asphalt. I wanted to do something better.” In addition to being durable, the blend can cut the paving process in half. With traditional asphalt mixes, crews often lay down the pavement in two thin layers, called “lifts.” This allows them to roll the pavement evenly throughout, compacting the asphalt and removing air pockets to make it more durable. This two-layer application means that crews must place one layer down, compact it, wait for it to set, test it and add an adhesive coating before repeating the process with another layer. HiMod allows crews to do up to a single, six-inch lift without compromising compaction. Samples from the test site showed even compaction throughout, with much higher compaction rates than traditional asphalt mixes. This translates to stronger, more durable roads with half the labor. Howard is not done testing his team’s mix. He wants to analyze it in even thicker lifts, as high as eight inches, and believes that that may be the key to creating “perpetual pavement.” And he isn’t limiting his plans to highways. “This mix sets up faster than concrete and is more durable than traditional asphalt, and we can use it on sidewalks, trails, you name it,” Howard said. “Asphalt has stayed in its lane, so to speak, for decades, but it’s time for us to step it up and move beyond that. This mix opens so many opportunities for the asphalt industry as a whole.” Lonnie quickly recognized the value of the new mix and immediately began placing it on other projects. Jason Simmons, UDOT’s Statewide Pavement Design Engineer, further tested it when he placed the mix directly on old concrete on I-15 near Parish Lane in early May of 2022. Approximately 500,000 tons of HiMod have gone out this summer to be used on a dozen projects, including the I-80 ramps near the Salt Lake City International Airport, on I-80 going up Parleys Canyon and on MP 41 to 50 and repaving the I-215 eastbound off-ramp to State Street. This is just the beginning. Other state departments of transportation have reached out to UDOT about adopting the mix because of their bigger pothole problems across their cities and counties due to the use of non-state specifications. UDOT officials expect to see it spread past Utah’s borders over the next few years. Get to know more about the HiMod project and the heroes who made this happen by scanning the QR code. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/utah-departmentof-transportation_utah-teamudot-asphaltactivity-7212196945455370240-ErN_ We can help you find employee health plans that include mental health resources. CALL US TODAY! 801-270-6851 wtapeo.com Need help managing employee benefits & payroll? “At UDOT, we’re always looking at ways to extend the life of our roads and save taxpayer money,” said Howard. “Changing something as simple as the materials used in our asphalt mix can have a tremendous impact, with fewer potholes and longer-lasting roads.” The future of Utah’s roads looks bright, all thanks to a little curiosity, a binder and mix lab and a lot of hard work. 14
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