The Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) has announced the winners of its 2006 Perpetual Pavement Awards.
The award is given to owners of asphalt pavements that are at least 35 years old and have never had a structural failure. The average interval between resurfacing of each winning pavement must be no less than 13 years. The road must demonstrate the qualities expected from long-life asphalt pavements: excellence in design, quality in construction, and value to the traveling public.
The 2006 winners, as determined by the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) and validated by a panel of industry experts, are:
• California Department of Transportation for a section of the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405) between Harbor Blvd. and Beach Blvd.
• Minnesota Department of Transportation for TH-61 between Wabasha and Kellogg
• Montana Department of Transportation for a 10-mile length of Interstate 90 over Homestake Pass
• Nebraska Department of Roads for a 5-mile section of State Highway 35 in Wayne County
• Tennessee Department of Transportation for a 14-mile section of State Route 14 in Tipton County
• Virginia Department of Transportation for a 6.5-mile portion of Interstate 81 in Frederick County
“Even though each of these pavements has been punished by more than 35 years of heavy use, motorists are still using the original pavement structures. The only maintenance has been periodic replacement of the surface,” said Alden Bailey, APA Co-Chairman. “The extraordinary performance of these pavements is worthy of attention.”
“Perpetual Pavement is an industry standard that is extremely well represented by these winners,” added Laurence O’Donnell, APA Co-Chairman. “Long life, durability, and exceptional performance are hallmarks of hot-mix asphalt. These pavements are testimonies to high-performance asphalt as a marriage of excellent design and quality construction.”
Each winner will receive an engraved crystal obelisk and a plaque. In addition, the name of the winning pavement and agency will be added to a permanent plaque which is kept at NCAT. Presentations will be made on October 1, 2007, at a special ceremony during the Virginia Asphalt Association’s Fall Asphalt Conference in Richmond, Va.
The Asphalt Pavement Alliance is a coalition of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the Asphalt Institute, and the State Asphalt Pavement Associations. The Asphalt Pavement Alliance’s mission is to further the use and quality of hot-mix asphalt pavements. The Alliance will accomplish this through research, technology transfer, engineering, education, and innovation.