1999 Update

Project Initiation and Completion Dates: September 1996 - December 1999

Project Description: A portion of the Raleigh Outer Loop (Interstate 540) was designated as a recycling pilot project in which as many recycled products were utilized in the highway construction as feasible. These recycled materials included: post industrial asphalt shingles in a portion of the asphalt pavement; recycled plastic right-of-way fencing; recycled plastic guardrail offset blocks; sign posts with a lightweight concrete inner core containing coal fly ash; recycled plastic flexible delineators; recycled plastic temporary slope drainage pipes; municipal sludge used in lieu of limestone; soil amendment containing recycled tires; and guardrail weed mats made from recycled tires. The use of recycled materials increased the project total cost by 0.28%--a fraction of the final cost.

Anticipated Environmental Sustainability Benefits: NCDOT has a New Product Evaluation Committee and a Recycled Products and Solid Waste Utilization Task Force that review new products and construction methods for approval for use by the department. The department hopes that by utilizing these approved recycled products the designers, contractors, and suppliers for future projects will be aware that the utilization of recycled products and solid wastes not only saves landfill space, but can also provide viable construction materials. Since the contract was awarded for this project, the department has awarded 10 more highway construction contracts with recycling specifications throughout the state.

Contact: Marie Sutton, Resource Conservation Engineer
(919) 250-4128

Project Initiation and Completion Dates: Summer 2000 -2002 (Planning and Design Phase)

Project Description:Last year DOT proposed the upgrade of an existing rest area on I-85 in Cleveland County, incorporating as many "green" concepts as practical. The contract let date was anticipated to be April 2000.

Update: During the past year, however, it was determined that it would be more practical to build an entirely new rest area on the north side of I-40 in Haywood County, between Waynesville and Canton. This new rest area will provide a much better opportunity to plan and design a true "showcase" facility than what would have been afforded through retrofitting an existing rest area as originally envisioned.

Construction for the new Haywood County rest area is scheduled to begin in 2002. Planning and design of this rest area are anticipated to begin this calendar year. As part of that process, we will establish a committee of public and private sector "green" experts to provide guidance in the design of this facility.

Contact: Charles Tomlinsom, Roadside Environmental Unit
(919) 733-2920