SPR 2013 Prime KTC: Improve Longitudinal Joints

Although it is somewhat cliché, the old adage is still true. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When evaluating asphalt pavement performance, the longitudinal joint is certainly a weak link in the long-term performance of pavement surfaces. Poor construction and/or compaction of the longitudinal joint has contributed to several premature failures and reduced pavement performance around the state, leading to significant repair costs. Research has shown that pavement density at the joint is significantly lower than densities anywhere else across the mat. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spent almost $100 million on its Statewide Resurfacing Program in FY 2009. If we conservatively assume that 25% of this resurfacing was due to failure of the longitudinal joint, that would mean that Kentucky spent $25 million in repair and maintenance due to longitudinal joint failure. By improving the construction of longitudinal joints, we could improve the durability of these joints, and therefore allow KYTC to use these dollars to maintain more miles of roadway in Kentucky.