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Warm-mix asphalt in New Brunswick

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Khatir Soltani
After a successful trial period, the New Brunswick government has decided to use once again warm-mix asphalt technology for five new road construction projects in the province.

Transportation minister Denis Landry was observing work on a construction site, recently, in Notre-Dame-des-Érables, a small Acadian Peninsula community in Northeastern New Brunswick.


Some like it warm

Thanks to special additives added in the warm asphalt, it is possible to reduce the temperature needed to produce and apply it.

Minister Landry explains that traditional asphalt must be heated up to 150 degrees Celsius whereas warm asphalt is produced at 100 degrees Celsius.

Because this mix needs less energy to produce, the Department can minimize fuel consumption, greenhouse-gas emissions and, most particularly, fumes.

The MP for Centre-Péninsule-Saint-Sauveur indicates that the new project is part of the provincial government’s Climate Change Action Plan.

“The Department of Transportation has taken a leadership role in this by implementing a more environmentally responsible way to improve our roads,” he explained.

This new process has been used in pilot-projects for the past two years in New Brunswick; warm asphalt has been laid in St. Martins, Moncton and in the Acadian Peninsula. The Department was thus able to evaluate its quality and durability.

According to Denis Landry, results show that warm asphalt is at least as durable as conventional mixes.

Important presentation

The uses and implications of this new technology will be showcased during a presentation at the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association’s annual conference.

It will also be the first time the Department of Transportation will be mentioned in the association’s journal.


photo:Jupiter Images
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
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