Pacific Coast Highway
Aug 09, 2011
Back to back jobs on the California coast, took me up to Fort Bragg, California on the Pacific Coast Highway. This job used a 64/-16 rubberized binder with a nominal rubber content of 18%. The weather was typical of the area for the night paving: 0 – 15 mph winds, light fog/drizzle, air temps 50 – 55F and all the way down to 40F.
For the gap graded 1/2" mix, the nominal binder content was 7.5%. As this is a thin overlay, CalTrans does not have a density spec, but uses a "Method Spec" in accord with CalTrans Sec. 39. This mandates how compaction will be done. Some leeway is given due to the use of Evotherm and slightly lower production temps.
Tourist season caused a 2 to 3 hour haul from Granite Construction's Ukiah plant. The mix was delivered at 260F, was 240F behind the screed, and was 200 F after the first two passes of breakdown roller. Densities were good and tonnage averaged 1700 per night.
