Interview with Derek Snead, P.E., Jones County Engineer

 

We sat down with Derek to hear his professional take on the problems he and his peers face concerning aging asphalt pavements.

What are some of the current trends or changes you've seen in pavement management since you've been on duty here?

Derek – I think typically in the past there wasn't such an emphasis on shortage of funding so it was a practice of use the existing pavement 'til it's completely deteriorated (then) tear it up and put new back down. Recently the amount of existing pavement that is past its useful life is so broad and we have such a short fundage--short amount of funding--that tearing it up and repairing all the existing ones just isn't an option.

How are things different now (you touched on the limited budgets we have) and how have people dealt with roads in the past in maintenance and such? Has it been more reactive or proactive?

Derek – I would say it probably varies, but the majority of it has been reactive. When you do have a shorter budget you have some tough choices to make. A lot of times you try to use the existing pavement as long as you possibly can before replacement, and that's one way of looking at it, or the second way would be to utilize some of the existing strength of that pavement.

(Would you) say keeping a pavement flexible would be a benefit to helping survive some of the stress that's put on it?

Derek – Particularly if you have a flexible pavement like asphalt is, in order to make the life of it last longer, you want to keep it that way (flexible). It's not designed to be a rigid pavement. If it turns into one, then the lifespan of that (pavement) deteriorates.

We are a very rural community here. We have a lot grain carts, a lot of heavy equipment going back and forth on our roads. They (pavements) weren't necessarily designed for types of loads that are going over them currently. So heavy loads and weather are the two main factors in deterioration of our existing pavements.

So, we're trying as many ways to prolong the existing ones (pavements) as we possibly can. So to prolong the life of the existing pavement that we have so far, this GSB® was one solution we looked at to try to offset some of the replacement (cost) with extending the life of some of our paved roads here in the county. So far we are very happy with the product (GSB®).

The Pothole Epidemic

Freeze-thaw-moisture, freeze-thaw-moisture, freeze-thaw-moisture.
 

All across the nation, communities are dealing with an epidemic of potholes, possibly anticipated in aging streets, but also showing up in poorer quality repairs that just didn’t hold up under extreme winter conditions.

“Still, that (potholes) wouldn't be as big a problem had the nation invested more up front,” says Larry Galehouse, Engineer and Director of the National Center for Pavement Preservation.

"What people have to understand is you can't have a pothole without first having a crack in the pavement surface. Agencies have been cash-strapped for a number of years, and now it's all coming home to roost."

"If you've got a pavement in poor condition that's got a lot of alligator cracking ... where water is getting into the pavement and freezing and thawing, it's going to break up the structure," says Kevin J. Haas, Traffic Investigations Engineer, Oregon Department of Transportation, Salem. 



And to add weight to their statements, it’s no coincidence the American Society of Civil Engineers gave America's infrastructure (roads) a D last year.

And, now communities following Worst First Maintenance Strategies are just trying to keep up with the repairs and pay for it any way they can.

In New York City, 136,476 potholes have been patched since Jan. 1. — compared to the just under 57,000 by Jan 1 in 2013.

Closer to home, Cedar Rapids, Ia estimates the need to fix 100,000 potholes. So far the city has used over 120 tons of fill material. Paid for by local option sales tax, the city has purchased three new pothole mix spreaders for around $65,000 each and upgraded to a longer lasting premium mix—20% more expensive.


Still other communities are calling on volunteers to fill holes quickly with cold mix until permanent road patches can be made in April.

Better Quality vs Throw-and-Roll Methods:

“If a few simple and cost-effective measures are applied with each repair then there may be less need for as many repeat repairs and savings could be in the millions annually.”
— Mujib Rahman, co-author, Nottingham Trent University study, England.


The study found that applying a coat of bitumen emulsion between two layers of asphalt significantly improved its resistance to further cracks and confirmed a hot mix repair — in which the asphalt was heated to 284 degrees or higher — was the best option for fixing holes 1 inch and deeper.

Potholes Cause Property Damage:

TRIP, a nonprofit organization that researches surface transportation issues, estimated an average urban driver pays out $377 a year in repairs — or a total of $80 billion nationwide, with many flat tires caused by potholes. (based on 2013 data)

Keeping the Good Pavements Good:

Trying to put this all into perspective Larry Galehouse gives this statement, “Americans pay about $21 a month on average in state and federal road taxes — a fraction of what they pay for cable television or a cell phone. And yet what is one of our most (personal) expensive investments out there? It's our automobile. And we're wrecking our automobiles because we're hitting potholes ... The key is not fixing them. The key is preventing them."

Wouldn’t it make more sense to spend a dollar to preserve newer pavements, keeping them like new longer, rather than spending $10.80 to patch, repair and replace?

New Branch Office Opens Near Chicago

Thanks to all our clients who are enjoying the benefits and overall cost-savings by preserving their asphalt pavements with us!

Now, just in time for the 2014 working season, we proudly announce the opening of our Chicagoland branch office in Somonauk, IL.

At our new branch office, you can expect the same great Gee quality, pride, and service you have come to expect from us...just now a little closer to you!

Top New Years Resolutions for Pavement Maintenance

“GSB-88® Sealer Binder cost about 8x less than the cost of applying new asphalt.”
--Matt Hawks, General Manager, White Cloud Casino

“Thank-you for introducing us to a cost-effective and efficient product (GSB-88®)! All airfield users agree it is a great improvement rejuvenating a deteriorated taxiway into an almost new system.”

--Shaun Germolus, Director of Operations, Duluth International Airport

"Analysis shows GSB-88® yields a Savings-To-Investment Ratio (SIR) Of 5.0 and a Return On Investment (ROI) of 400%."

--GSB-88 NAVFAC Performance Report

“$1 spent today on pavement preservation reduces future replacement costs up to $10.80”


– Jim Sorensen, Director Pavement Preservation, FHWA

“Our parking lot was showing signs of deterioration. We needed to improve the appearance and safety. Replacement with new asphalt was going to be costly. We could replace it OR, preserve it by sealing the cracks and applying GSB®. We agreed to have Gee Asphalt Systems provide the pavement preservation services...and are very pleased.

--Matt Hawks, General Manager, White Cloud Casino



“GSB-88® is engineered to significantly retard surface oxidation by rebinding the surface aggregate and protect the pavement binder from the natural surface oxidation process. Surface oxidation is far and away the greatest deteriorating factor on the majority of DOD airfields.”

--DOD Comprehensive Evaluation of GSB-88® Sealer Binder


“Thank you for your assistance in providing a solution to our problem...The untreated test section showed extreme raveling with excessive loose aggregate and a very porous surface. The subsequent test application of GSB® has corrected this problem and has no doubt prolonged the life of this surface. It is evident the surface would have to have been replaced if not for the GSB® application.”
--Tom McCarthy, Operations Manager, Northpark Mall



“We are very satisfied with GSB® and over the years of wear and tear it has held up tremendously well. We have used other products over the years but they do not compare to the quality of the GSB® application.”

--Eugene Oakey, Director of Facilities, May Centers, Inc.



“Gee Asphalt showed me pavements where GSB® had been used from as little as 1 year ago, up to pavements maintained as long as 32 years, and they all looked amazing!”

--Brent Stansbury, Facility Engineer, Gateway, Inc.



“We wanted to try something besides the ss1h asphalt emulsions to keep aggregates bound in place on the shoulders, prevent raveling, and keep newly placed asphalt in a "like new" condition. We tried GSB-88®. Years later aggregates were still bound tightly in place...GSB-88® was applied to asphalt overlay projects having ADT (average daily traffic) ranging from 300-2600 vehicles. We will continue using GSB-88® for our asphalt preservation applications.”

--Allen Horak, District Maintenance Superintendent, Nebraska Department of Roads

 “I can’t say enough about Gee Asphalt, their professionalism, polite and courteous staff and customer satisfaction. They talk the talk and walk the walk! You continue to be a true pleasure to work with. Gee Asphalt has become an awesome partner in Asphalt Preservation!" 

--Scott Mallicoat, District Maintenance Supervisor, Farmington Schools

“Gee got the job done right!...Working with a company that gets the job done right the first time with little supervision is great! I look forward to working with Gee Asphalt in the future.”

--Les Lawson, Iowa State University, Facilities Planning & Management Campus Services

“From the salesperson to receptionist, owner to crew, these top-notch professionals exceeded our expectations with their fast and efficient, high quality work. Knowledgeable and courteous describes their staff and crew. I would highly recommend them.”

--Ms. Angie Ellison, Engineering Technician, City of Eagan Minnesota

“Everyone at Gee Asphalt Systems, from the owner to office staff to field crews, are professional and act with integrity.  They understand our shopping center clients and work diligently to minimize customer inconvenience."

--Thomas R. Zimmer, PE, Principal, Zimmer Consultants, Ltd

Make Gee part of your New Year's Resolution and improve the health of your pavements today!