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Commuter Dude: Atlanta streets on fire with new method of repaving

The city of Atlanta is hot for a more efficient method of repaving rugged neighborhood streets.

ATLANTA – The city of Atlanta is hot for a more efficient method of repaving rugged neighborhood streets.

When Ricky Carter saw two large vehicles rambling down Wesley Avenue with fire blazing beneath them, he couldn’t stop watching.

“This caught my eyes,” says Carter. “I ain't never seen nothing like this.”

Using a contractor, the city of Atlanta is giving neighborhood streets a fresh look while recycling the old, damaged asphalt, all at a temperature of 375-degrees.

“The asphalt on the street is reused in place,” says Atlanta Public Works Commissioner William Johnson. “It’s reconditioned in place and extends the life of the street eight to ten years.”

Traditionally, crews file away damaged asphalt in a process known as milling. It leaves a rough surface until crews can return to add a new layer.

In the process known as “hot in-place asphalt recycling”, crews cook the street’s damaged asphalt. Once the asphalt is softened, it’s collected and mixed with some fresh asphalt and an oil based rejuvenator. The mixture is 80% recycled asphalt that is used to create a fresh surface. All that’s left is to add a sealant.

Johnson says it’s 30-percent faster than the old method.

The city has a list of sixty-one neighborhood streets that will be repaved using this new method. The Public Works Department is using a contractor, but may consider buying its own equipment to do the work in the future.


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