Northeast Asphalt Uses Mill and Fill on Popular Tourist Route

by Kimberley Schmitt
Created: May 1, 2012

Northeast Asphalt Inc., Greenville, WI, completed the repairs of the 15.25-mile stretch of US Hwy 45 from Eagle River to Land O' Lakes.
Northeast Asphalt Inc., Greenville, WI, completed the repairs of the 15.25-mile stretch of US Hwy 45 from Eagle River to Land O' Lakes.
During this project, crews were able to mill and pave 1.5 miles per day.
During this project, crews were able to mill and pave 1.5 miles per day.
A RoadTec 2500 Shuttle Buggy was used to enhance paving smoothness.
A RoadTec 2500 Shuttle Buggy was used to enhance paving smoothness.
Changes were made to the original project plans to provide a safer roadway for the traveling public and workers during construction.
Changes were made to the original project plans to provide a safer roadway for the traveling public and workers during construction.
The paver was followed by an Ingersoll Rand DD 138 breakdown roller, followed by the Caterpillar 900 B rubber-tired intermediate roller, and lastly a Bomag BW11 AS 54-static roller for finishing.
The paver was followed by an Ingersoll Rand DD 138 breakdown roller, followed by the Caterpillar 900 B rubber-tired intermediate roller, and lastly a Bomag BW11 AS 54-static roller for finishing.

Achieving a high IRI

Northeast Asphalt achieved an IRI index of 32.0 in the northbound lane and 31.2 in the southbound lane earning ride incentives. Northeast Asphalt took several steps to achieve a successful IRI index.

One crucial area to achieving the IRI was the crews focus on properly milling the existing asphalt.

“We paid close attention to the milling operations ensuring the material was milled evenly and uniformly,” Bartoszek says. “Another important aspect was ensuring that the RAP wasn’t oversized by using a nugget cruncher to control oversized material going into the plants. This made sure that no oversized material was used in the pavement material.”

The RoadTec 2500 Shuttle Buggy was another piece of equipment used to enhance the road.

“The Shuttle Buggy delivered mix to the paver ensuring the paver could maintain movement without starting and stopping,” Bartoszek says. “That is something you would have to do if only trucks were used.”

Bartoszek also credits experienced roller operators for the high quality mat because they did not create roller bumps.

Northeast Asphalt also earned density incentives. “The requirements for density were 91.5 for both the lower and upper layers,” Bartoszek says. “The densities on this project averaged 93+.”

Receiving both ride incentives and density incentives, Northeast Asphalt was able to complete the project on time without any reported safety incidents in the work zone.