<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Bad batch of asphalt prompts SR 14 do-over

The Columbian
Published: September 24, 2010, 12:00am

A bad batch of asphalt prompted the Washington Department of Transportation to order a “re-do” on a 1,200-foot-long stretch of state Highway 14 near Interstate 5.

Kerr Contractors, based in Woodburn, Ore., was due to grind out substandard asphalt in the left-hand eastbound lane Thursday night.

The re-do comes as part of a $3.9 million project to repave an eight-mile stretch of Highway 14 in Vancouver, from I-5 to 164th Avenue. The segment in question had been paved on Sept. 8, but DOT spokeswoman Abbi Russell said results of quality-control testing revealed the asphalt failed to meet minimum standard for air voids within this particular batch.

“There’s too much air inside the asphalt to meet our specification,” she said. “It wasn’t compact enough.”

Workers were to close the left lane of eastbound Highway 14 Thursday at 10 p.m. to grind out the substandard asphalt and repave the lane. The project schedule is not affected by the repair, according to the DOT.

Russell added that asphalt pavement normally lasts eight to 15 years, depending on traffic volumes and the weight of traffic using it. Heavy use by trucks will wear it out faster.

The Highway 14 resurfacing project, which began Aug. 17 with predominantly nighttime work, is due to be finished next month.

Loading...