The ACT Government is currently trialling a new type of asphalt made from a range of recycled materials. Unlike previous trials this new asphalt product uses a mixture of recycled products from a number of different sources.
Minister for Roads, Chris Steel said the new asphalt product typically contains soft plastics, used printer toner cartridges, crushed glasses and reclaimed asphalt materials.
"Every tonne of this innovative asphalt product will contain approximately 800 plastic bags, 300 glass bottles, 18 used printer toner cartridges and 250 kilograms of reclaimed asphalt," Minister Steel said.
"If we are going to build a circular economy in Australia, then all governments have to act to establish markets for the re-use of materials like single-use plastic and glass for use in Government and private projects.
"Roads are a great place to start and the ACT Government is looking at how we can require the use of 'waste' resources in procurement for roads across the ACT."
Minister Steel said that the first trial is being conducted on the roundabout on Gundaroo Drive between Pallin Street and Hollingsworth Street. The set of works will require about 1,000 tonnes of asphalt between this site and another site in Casey.
"This method of recycling has an economic benefit, as we don't need to purchase as much new aggregates, but it is also better for the environment as it reuses existing materials that might otherwise end up in landfill.
"The reclaimed asphalt has been sourced from local roads, glass from the ACT's kerbside recycling (yellow bin) system, and some of the soft plastic through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme.
"Along with the environmental benefits of removing these products from the waste stream and the reduced cost, this new asphalt product is also used to create a safe and long lasting road surface.
"The new asphalt is designed to be stronger and more resistant to deformation. This will make it last longer, and allow it to better handle heavy vehicle traffic.
"The roundabout on Gundaroo Drive is a great place to trial this asphalt as it is a heavy traffic area, where vehicles are turning, and therefore putting more pressure on the road surface."
These works will require temporary road closures to be put in place. The closures are as follows:
- Gundaroo Drive will be closed in both directions from Horse Park Drive to approximately 30 metres west of the Hollingsworth Street/Pallin Street intersection.
- Pallin Street will be closed in both directions from Swain Street to Gundaroo Drive.
- Hollingsworth Street will be closed in both directions from John Winter Street to Gundaroo Drive.
The closures will be in place from 9.15am to 4pm Tuesday 5 March and Wednesday 6 March 2019.
