Instead of patching failing roads, we use a process called "Full-Depth Reclamation" (FDR) using portland cement which r ecycles failed asphalt pavement,  providing the benefits of reconstruction without the substantial costs and environmental concerns. This procedure pulverizes the existing asphalt and blends it with the underlying base, subbase, and/or subgrade materials, which are mixed with cement and compacted to provide a new stabilized base. A new surface is then applied, which completes the FDR process, providing a new roadway structure using recycled materials from the failed pavement. Because of cement stabilization, the new base will be more uniform,  stronger, and provide better long-term performance than the original pavement. 

 

The cost advantages of recycling materials from the original pavement are obvious; however, there are other environmental advantages that are important to the FDR process:

* Conservation of new aggregates that must be quarried and transported to the site.

* Conservation of land areas that would be used to dispose of the asphalt and base materials from the failed pavement.

* Reduced air pollution, traffic congestion and damage of nearby roadways resulting from hauling new materials to the site and disposal of old materials.

 

If we reconstructed the road using new materials we would have hauled close to 20,000 tons of road material to the dump and used 12,320 tons of new stone to build a new roads base. FDR saved 1,747 truckloads of material from hitting the Milton streets and while providing recycled road material creating a 13" thick road base for new asphalt binder and asphalt.