More than 50,000 tonnes of Enrobés à Module Élevé Class 2 (EME2) will be rolled out for the Port of Brisbane’s $110 million Port Drive Upgrade Project – the largest placement of EME2 in the country.
Port of Brisbane Property Ltd (PBPL) CEO Roy Cummins said employing the asphalt technology would deliver long-term safety, efficiency and sustainability benefits on the project, and support the Port’s long-term growth.
“The Port Drive Upgrade Project is about enhancing safety and future-proofing the port’s road network for decades to come. This meant looking at innovative ways to deliver a better design and end-product for road users while also lowering maintenance costs,” said Mr. Cummins.
“For this project, EME2 asphalt offers the prospect of reduced asphalt thicknesses for motorway pavements and is proven to have superior resistance to rutting and fatigue caused by heavy traffic usage when compared to conventional road pavements.
“This is essential for a heavy industrial precinct such as the port, which experiences more than 3.1 million vehicles every year.”
PBPL required the project’s principal contractor, Seymour Whyte, to consider innovation and sustainability initiatives in its designs and construction materials as the project seeks to achieve an ‘Excellent’ rating (‘Design’ and ‘As Built’) with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA).
The Port specifically required the asphalt to be used in the project after a successful trial placement of 1100 tonnes of EME2 as part of a port road rehabilitation project last year.
The EME2 asphalt mix design for the Port Drive Upgrade project is specifically developed targeting durability, flexural stiffness, rut resistance and reduced fatigue.
Fulton Hogan was elected by Seymour Whyte as the project’s sub-contractor for the development and laying of the deep-lift asphalt pavement.
The Port Drive Upgrade is one of only two projects in Queensland to use EME2.
The project incorporates other sustainable measures, including the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)-approved LED street lighting and Super I girders, offsite stormwater management and the re-use and recycling of spoil.
PBPL has worked closely with TMR in planning and design, including the incorporation of EME2, and will continue to collaborate with TMR to deliver the project.
Construction commenced in September 2016 and is on track for completion mid-2018, weather permitting.