Transportation and Works
May 28, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works.

Provincial Government to Purchase Asphalt Recycling Trailers

Mr. Speaker, I stand to inform this Honourable House of a new innovative approach to road maintenance. I am pleased to announce today that through a Budget 2015 allocation of $600,000, we will purchase four asphalt recyclers to enhance our ability to make longer-lasting repairs to roads during the colder months.

The period of time between late March and early May is the most difficult time for road conditions. After the winter, we see large potholes appear. People are anxious to have them repaired and want to know why the repairs don’t last very long.

Spring is difficult Mr. Speaker due to regular freezing and thawing. A pothole forms when water soaks into the ground beneath the pavement. The water freezes, then it expands, causing the pavement to break apart from underneath. When the temperature rises, the water melts and leaves a hole underneath the pavement. The pressure of many vehicles driving over it pushes the pavement down and creates the pothole.

In the warmer months, permanent repairs can be made. However in the colder months when the asphalt plants are not open, crews use “cold patch.” This product is not as flexible as the hot asphalt mix and does not last as long.

The purchase of asphalt recyclers will enable us to reuse old asphalt and to make longer-lasting repairs to provincial roads during the cold season. This not only benefits those who travel our provincial roads and highways, but will help keep old asphalt out of our landfills.

Mr. Speaker, this is one of many strategic investments this government is making in key areas of our transportation network. Over the past three years, more than $400 million has helped maintain, upgrade and enhance hundreds of kilometres of roads, as well as replace 23 bridges and repair 40 other bridges.

The asphalt recyclers will be purchased for use this coming winter and placed in the four regions of the province. I will be pleased to provide an update on their use as we continue to work to provide a safe and reliable transportation network throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Thank you.

2015 05 28                              2:15 p.m.