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C.W. Roberts Brings Warm Mix to Fort Myers

In addition to making a variety of mixes including Superpave, C. W. Roberts new plant is capable of making warm mix asphalt, since the Florida DOT is encouraging contractors to make a change to warm mix where possible.

Even with the Florida economy in recession, C.W. Roberts purchased a new E3-400 counterflow plant fo fill internal demand and to develop an FOB market.

The first warm mix asphalt produced by the plant was run at 265 degrees F and burner positioning dropped from 55 to 40%. Initial estimates point to a savings of 0.8 gal per ton of fuel oil and 0.2 to 0.3% lower AC content in the warm mix.

After purchasing Cougar Contracting, C.W. Roberts saw an opportunity to expand the contractor's project base to include highway and interstate paving.

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For years, Cougar Contracting focused its efforts on local government and private work in the Fort Myers market. After the acquisition, C. W. Roberts envisioned the paving contractor expanding to state highway and interstate projects. Therefore, the new Fort Myers plant had to be flexible enough to run a wide variety of mix designs, including Superpave, and accept from 25 to 30% RAP, while meeting environmental regulations.

Beyond the traditional considerations, C. W. Roberts also wanted a plant that could produce warm mix asphalt.

"The Florida Department of Transportation is encouraging contractors to make a change to warm mix asphalt where possible," comments Thaw.

While there are several different warm mix designs available today, the producer's warm mix objectives ruled out all but two systems. The company decided against warm mix additives from the start.

"Why go to the effort and expense to install asphalt bins and other components if you're not saving money," asks Thaw. "The cost of the additives would have offset the savings gained by running warm mix."

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