As spring gives way to summer, we also have begun another season in Minnesota: ROAD CONSTRUCTION
For many drivers, this CAN mean the season of frustration and inconvenience, but this is why the type of road surface and the construction materials used are such important parts of Minnesota’s highway system stewardship—directly correlating to how often drivers have the inconvenience of road construction.
The goal should be to extend the service life of highway roads as long as possible before needing major rehabilitation or replacement. Of course, this would also mean less road construction—and less frustration and inconvenience for motorists.
SOLUTION! CONCRETE PAVEMENT!
Most concrete roads last 35 or more years before requiring repair
Many roads around Duluth, Minnesota are great examples of wise planning and pavement decisions—these Duluth roads will be paved using concrete, starting in 2021:
• Interstate 35—much of it has been overlaid with concrete and is expected to last longer in the Duluth area than anywhere else in the state.
• New Twin Ports Interchange at I-35
• Interstate 535
• Minnesota Highway 53
2019
Construction took place on I-35 from Pine City to the Chisago County line, on both lanes, northbound and southbound
Past 10 years
Over 1/2 of the I-35 route from the southern Pine County line to Duluth has received a beneficial overlay of concrete
Several streets in Duluth’s Chester Park neighborhood are more than 100 years old and still going strong
Importantly, federally funded studies show that concrete interstate pavements
cost 13% to 28% less in the long run than asphalt interstate pavements
Benefits to Concrete:
Sustainability: We can no longer afford to address road-repair needs with short-term solutions. For both drivers and sustainability, concrete roads are the right direction to go.
—100% recyclable
—Produced locally
—Reflects more light-reducing urban heat islands
—Slightly more fuel efficient than other surfaces because it is so smooth and sturdy
The bottom line:
Duluth-area roads surfaced with concrete will be
smooth, safe, and low-maintenance for at least 35 more years
and won’t need replacement for more than 60 years.
Matt Zeller of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Executive Director-Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota (CPAM)
CPAM Website: www.concreteisbetter.com
For the “Duluth News Tribune” online article, please go to: www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/columns/7048613-Concrete-Advocates-View-Right-road-surface-decisions-can-mean-less-road-construction
Home Photo: Traffic on Interstate 35 passes below Garfield Avenue. The Lincoln Park neighborhood and other areas of Duluth are being impacted with road and lane closures due to Twin Ports Interchange work. (Steve Kuchera / 2020 file / News Tribune)