Asphalt’s ‘speed-of-construction’ attributes garnered worldwide attention when a Southern California freeway was reopened in just five days after experiencing major flood damage. Interstate 10, a major freeway connecting Los Angeles to Phoenix was closed when flash-flooding from a freak summer rainstorm caused a bridge to collapse, forcing eastbound traffic to take an hours-long detour. The interstate carries an average of 27,000 vehicles a day through the area. Working around the clock, a contractor brought in by Caltrans, Granite Construction, trucked in 2,500 tons of asphalt and 2,000 tons of base course to pave a temporary detour around the damaged bridge and traffic was able to pass through the area to great fanfare. The detour, which will carry traffic alongside the collapsed concrete structure at reduced speeds, will be in place until the structure can be replaced. According to Caltrans Public Information Officer Tyeisha Prunty, that process could take months at an estimated cost of $5 million.
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