National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Project description

A growing number of agencies across the United States have demonstrated interest in adopting or expanding their use of concrete overlays for pavement rehabilitation. However, some agencies face perceived obstacles or challenges to constructing concrete overlays, such as complex project staging and maintenance of traffic requirements and the potential for lengthy and disruptive roadway closures. This tech brief highlights an innovative project undertaken in the summer of 2022 to demonstrate ways to accelerate concrete overlay construction while minimizing impacts to local traffic and ensuring a safe environment for both construction crews and the traveling public. The project team paved 8.6 mi of a 6 in. thick, 36 ft wide concrete overlay and fully re-opened the roadway to traffic just 25 calendar days after the first closure. Several innovative practices were employed to shorten the duration of traffic impacts, provide a safe work zone, and complete the project on a rapid timeline. This case study offers valuable insights for agencies of all sizes around the country on effective staging, maintenance of traffic strategies, and accelerated construction for concrete overlay projects