May 9, 2014, Mississauga, Ont. – Nearly 150 industry experts
took part in the Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association’s Road Tour seminars,
which concluded on May 6th in Mississauga. The initiative, which brought together
asphalt producers, suppliers, consulting engineers and municipal and provincial
road owners, was a tremendous success according to Doug Duke, OHMPA Executive
Director.
May 9, 2014, Mississauga, Ont. – Nearly 150 industry experts
took part in the Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association’s Road Tour seminars,
which concluded on May 6th in Mississauga. The initiative, which brought together
asphalt producers, suppliers, consulting engineers and municipal and provincial
road owners, was a tremendous success according to Doug Duke, OHMPA Executive
Director.
“We had terrific representation from all sectors throughout
most of Ontario’s regions as we made stops in Guelph, Kingston, Sudbury and the
GTA,” said Mr. Duke. “This year’s seminars stimulated some very engaging
conversation, especially in Kingston where Queens University Professor Simon
Hesp attended our roundtable discussion regarding the quality of asphalt
cement.”
“Our primary mission is to promote excellence in asphalt
paving. At the end of the day, we share the same goals as road owners and
researchers alike. That is, to have the best roads in North America. Bringing
together all stakeholders in the same room is the first step in ensuring we
continue to improve Ontario’s road quality.”
OHMPA’s Technical Director Sandy Brown addressed the hot
topic of 2014 – potholes. “It’s been a spectacular winter,” said Mr. Brown.
“We’ve had polar vortexes, flash freezes, thunder snow; things I had never
heard of before. It has taken a toll on the pavements. However, when it comes
to preventing potholes, it all starts with the design of the pavement, ensuring
proper drainage and the thickness of the pavement lift is crucial.”
Mr. Brown also captured the attention of the audience with
his demonstration using two-by-four planks of pine. Pressing down on the wood,
he demonstrated that it bends significantly, until the wood is turned on its side
to make it thicker. Additionally,
bringing out another wood sample glued together, he showed that the same
principal applies to using tack coat to strengthen pavements.
“I could have purchased a solid oak two-by-four, but just
one cost six times more than four pine planks,” explained Mr. Brown. “The
molecular structure of the oak is stronger than the pine, but I can get the
same strength by having a thicker piece of pine or gluing two together. The
same goes for asphalt cement. Contrary to current hyperbole, there is no
garbage in Ontario’s asphalt cement and one way to improve the quality of
pavements in a cost effective manner, is to have thicker lifts and use tack
coat.”
Other highlights from the seminars included MTO regional
reports and updates on provincial initiatives, the introduction of the Draft
Contract Language on the MGAC specification addressing asphalt cement quality,
municipal presentations on best practices for improving longitudinal joints and
an update on OHMPA’s new and upcoming marketing and communications initiatives.
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