We’ve become used to roads and highways spanning the natural landscape, so much so that it’s easy to forget that they’re not part of it. Building roads is a massive feat of engineering and construction that involves big changes to the land on which they’re built. Although these changes may be necessary for creating the infrastructure our modern society depends on, not all of them can be positive.
Road construction can have significantly negative impacts on the surrounding environment, if not properly managed. Every aspect of the work, from the movement of trucks and heavy machinery to the materials used to the effect on local ecosystems, can result in ecological damage that may not be reversible. For a long time, this was accepted as a fact of life. But over the years, new processes and developments have made sustainable road construction not only possible, but prevalent throughout the industry.
Use of Recycled Materials
One of the core tenets of sustainability is recycling, and this is one of the key areas for making roadwork more eco-friendly. Reclamation is one of the most common techniques used in sustainable road construction. This process involves grinding up the existing pavement and reapplying it with additives to make the resulting roadway stronger. This process helps preserve resources by reusing as much of the existing aggregate as possible and works for asphalt as well as concrete. Another form of recycling commonly employed in road construction is the use of on-site soils for stabilization, rather than trucking in soils from elsewhere.
Energy Reduction in Construction Practices
Construction equipment and heavy trucks consume a lot of resources and contribute a lot of emissions into the atmosphere, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Contractors can reduce the amount of fuel they consume through efficient route planning and reducing the amount of time equipment spends idling without doing anything. These practices may seem small, but they can add up to major fuel savings as well as significant reductions in ecological impact over the course of an entire project.
Low-Carbon Stabilizing Agents
Traditionally, stabilizing soil has been achieved through the addition of chemical agents such as quicklime or cement. These techniques are effective, but they come with added environmental impact due to the emissions created by the creation of the additives. Fortunately, recent developments have led to the emergence of newer additives that create far fewer carbon emissions. These include enzymes that digest elements in the soil and make them stronger as well as special polymers that enhance the load-bearing qualities of the ground. Using these newer stabilizing agents can be just as effective as the older techniques, but without the environmental impact.
Designing for Longevity and Low Maintenance
When roads are built to last, the ecological impact they have over their entire lifespan can be reduced to a substantial degree. Roads that require less upkeep mean fewer emissions created by construction equipment, fewer materials consumed, and less harm to local ecosystems. This is what makes proper grading and site prep so important, as they provide a stable, strong base for the road that helps keep it in shape for as long as possible.
Stormwater and Erosion Control
Water that collects on roadway surfaces can collect oils and other automotive fluids that eventually find their way into groundwater and nearby water supplies. This results in pollution that can harm plants and wildlife. Erosion also can lead to instability that results in roads requiring more-frequent maintenance or replacement. However, sustainable construction practices such as installing bioswales, adding permeable shoulders, and using proper grading techniques can prevent these issues. They hold soils in place, allow stormwater to pass through the pavement as quickly as possible, and prevent pooling that can cause problems.
Gain the Benefits of Sustainable Road Construction
Green certification programs such as LEED and Greenroads can verify whether road projects meet sustainability standards. This may be needed for contractors to earn federal and state incentives for sustainable road construction. Working with Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc., can help ensure these and other green practices are used on the jobsite. Our expertise with soil stabilization and material recycling processes makes us the ideal partner for this type of eco-friendly construction. To learn more about what we have to offer, reach out and speak with a member of our team today.