Rubblization is a new cost-effective way to rehab concrete roads

Rubblization is a new cost-effective way to rehab concrete roads

Published on November 23, 2024

We all drive on roads daily but tend to forget about them until we hit a big pothole. Roads are critical assets, even though we notice them only when a problem arises.

The City of Fort Worth manages more than 8,300 lane miles. To put it in perspective: that's like a one-lane road stretching from New York City to Los Angeles and back and back. That's a lot of ground to cover, and over half of these roads are concrete, which is expensive to maintain.

Why it matters: Recently, the City's Pavement Management Team, in collaboration with Street Services, implemented a cost-effective road rehabilitation technique called "modified rubblization" on Northern Cross Boulevard.

This process breaks up existing concrete pavement into small pieces and repurposes it as a base layer for a new asphalt surface. Think of rubblization as large-scale recycling for concrete streets.

Instead of ripping up all that old concrete and hauling it away, break it into pieces and use it as a foundation for a whole new asphalt surface. It's a practical, environmentally friendly solution that avoids wasting materials, and it costs far less than full concrete reconstruction.

Go deeper: Rubblization is not a new concept. It is a well-established procedure used in other parts of the U.S., but the project was the first of its kind for the City of Fort Worth.

To maximize the benefits, the City used modified rubblization on a 0.4-mile stretch of Northern Cross Boulevard as a pilot project. Northern Cross Boulevard is a busy road carrying all types of traffic ranging from regular cars to heavy trucks. It was in rough shape, so it was the perfect test subject.

The project restored road serviceability in just three weeks, demonstrating how rubblization can be both quick and cost-effective.

The City saved over 70% compared to the cost of traditional concrete reconstruction. A significant part of the savings came from the fact that the City didn't need to haul away old material or bring in new material for the base layer. Considering the vast network of roads that need upkeep, those savings can add up and potentially fund other vital projects.

What to know: While modified rubblization is a good fit for some concrete street restoration projects, not every concrete street is a fit for rubblization. Where it is applicable, it can provide a resilient and sustainable alternative to traditional methods.

Through such innovative approaches, the City is finding a smart new way to give deteriorated streets a second life.

Photo: Northern Cross Boulevard before the rubblization process (top) and after (below).

Tagged as:

• Project Update
• Transportation