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Governor Hull unveils plan to add rubberized asphalt to majority of Valley Freeway System
.Quieter freeways and a resourceful use of old recycled tires will be the primary results of a plan to add a rubberized asphalt surface to a majority of the Valley's freeway system.
Approximately 115 miles of Valley regional freeways will be covered with rubberized asphalt starting next year, under the plan unveiled by Governor Jane Dee Hull today.
The freeway surfacing plan, developed by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and local cities, would be accomplished over three years.
"This is a big breakthrough in our efforts to enhance the quality of life in neighborhoods close to the freeways and at the same time keep millions of tires out of landfills,"; said Governor Hull. "It's a real accomplishment that has involved a lot of cooperation between ADOT, MAG and the cities."
Officials have faced the challenge of funding the rubberized asphalt. They've agreed to use $34 million from other MAG regional transportation funds and projects to pay for the freeway resurfacing. The plan officially needs to be approved by MAG and the State Transportation Board next year.
"We support this change to the freeway program because it is the right thing to do," said Queen Creek Mayor Wendy Feldman-Kerr, who also serves as chair of the MAG Executive Council. "The cities and the state have been listening to residents who live near the freeways."
ADOT has already applied rubberized asphalt to sections of Interstate 17, the Superstition Freeway (US 60) and the Loop 101 in the Valley.
"This is a major milestone for our citizens," said ADOT Director Victor Mendez. "We've been looking for ways to respond to what many of our customers have been asking for. All the meetings with the citizens and mayors are paying off."
The proposal announced today will resurface the entire 60-mile Loop 101 plus sections of the Loop 202 and State Route 51.
The key ingredient in rubberized asphalt is "crumb rubber," granules of shredded recycled tires. The crumb rubber is mixed with heated liquid asphalt and stones before being applied to a freeway as a one inch surface coat.
Noise readings have shown the rubberized asphalt generally reduces tire noise by 3 to 5 decibels.
Quick Facts about Rubberized Asphalt:
- Rubberized asphalt uses the rubber from scrap tires to provide a smooth, quiet ride and a durable pavement surface, which benefits drivers and residents living near freeways.
- Rubberized asphalt contains 20 percent tire rubber that is blended into a liquid asphalt mixture.
- On Valley freeways, a one-inch layer of rubberized asphalt will be applied on top of the existing 12 to 14 inch thick concrete pavement.
- Approximately 10,000 tires per mile will be recycled by paving Valley freeways with rubberized asphalt.
- Approximately 75% of freeway noise is generated from tires, so rubberized asphalt reduces the noise at its source.
- Studies have shown that rubberized asphalt can reduce traffic noise levels by 3 to 5 decibels. A 3 decibel reduction in noise equates to reducing the freeway traffic volume by half.
- The frequency range from rubberized asphalt is lower than with concrete surfaces, reducing the higher pitched frequencies that are more irritating to homeowners and freeway drivers.
- ADOT is considered a pioneer in the use of rubberized asphalt in paving projects with more than 4.2 million tons of rubberized asphalt paved on Arizona highways since 1988.
- ADOT has invested $225 million in rubber asphalt paving projects since 1988.
- 15 million tires have been recycled since 1988 by paving Arizona highways with rubberized asphalt.
- The application of rubberized asphalt is sensitive to temperatures, meaning that paving in the Phoenix area is limited to the spring and fall seasons.
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