Our COLAS QLD team completed the largest project in Australia to use Crumb Rubber binder (CR1) in Gap Graded (GGA) and Open Graded Asphalt (OGA). The works were undertaken on the Nambour Connection Road and Emu Mountain Road, about 100km north of Brisbane from August to November 2021.
What made this project special is that the CR1 binder was blended using 18% crumb rubber from end-of-life truck tyres. The binder was also modified with a special warm-mix additive, allowing the asphalt mixes to be produced at safer working temperatures below 165C, reducing fumes and energy.
Due to the highly viscous nature of the crumb rubber-modified binder, the binder content of these mixes was increased, which results in a more durable and longer-lasting wearing course.
In total over 55,000 end-of-life equivalent passenger tyres were used to produce the CR1 binder and saved from going to landfill.
This project is a great example of using recycled waste to improve the performance of asphalt, without causing harm to our workers and providing a more sustainable pavement solution for the asset owner.
Outcomes from this project: