Concrete plans

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

While Jamaicans are long used to dark-coloured asphalt roads, there may be a consistently lighter shade in the not-too-distant future.

Although concrete has already been used for road surfacing, notably in the Bog Walk gorge, Fern Gully and parts of the Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway, a revised bid process has paved the way for increased use of concrete. Transport Minister Omar Davies recently announced in Parliament that the introduction of a new policy will allow contractors to place bids for road construction, using asphalt or concrete.

Naturally, Caribbean Cement Ltd has welcomed the move. Public relations officer at Carib Cement, Lystra Sharp, said in the past, concrete road construction would have been much

more expensive than asphalt, but that has changed "... as a result of mainly two reasons".

"First, the price for a barrel of oil has increased from US$20 per barrel in 2002 to approximately US$112 today, and there has been significant improvement in the design of concrete pavements. Steel reinforcement and specially prepared bases are not mandatory for concrete pavements. The cost difference is now in single digits, with the superior strength, reduced maintenance and performance provided by concrete pavement," she argued.

In addition, Sharp pointed to the difference in maintenance requirements. "Concrete roads require little or almost no maintenance. Asphalt roads require frequent maintenance. The risk of damage to asphalt surface due to torrential rains is present on multiple occasions annually during the hurricane season. It is therefore possible that within a year of placement, major repairs may be necessary," she continued.

Continuing to tout the advantages of concrete over asphalt, Sharp said, "The product is totally recyclable and also provides a cooler, brighter and more visible surface. Concrete can be coloured and textured to provide alternative designs, provides better skid resistance, and is environmentally friendly," she said.

However, speaking about a disadvantage of concrete road surfaces, Sharp said that should it break, entire slabs would have to be replaced, although prefabricated slabs could be used to make the process smoother.

According to Sharp, numerous studies over the last 40 years have shown that concrete pavements can be expected to last in excess of 20 years. Findings from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), US Department of Transportation, in 1971 showed that concrete pavement will last up to 25 years and asphalt pavement 15 years. A second study was conducted by the FHWA in 1985 and the results were concrete pavements would last 13 to 30 years and asphalt pavements six to 20 years.

In Europe, the concrete roads are supposed to last a minimum of 30 years.