The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration is working with the local construction industry to develop environmentally safe methods of recycling pavement for use on future highway projects.  Local contractor P. Flanigan and Sons’ Winchester Recycling facility in Baltimore produces 100 percent recycled crushed graded aggregate base (GAB).  This is the base material used on a roadway prior to paving operations.  The recycled material is being used on SHA’s $12.4 million widening project along MD 295 (Baltimore Washington Parkway) between I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) and I-195 in Anne Arundel County.

“P. Flanigan and Sons has been using recycled materials for many decades.  The Winchester facility is just one example of our continued efforts to make infrastructure and transportation construction more environmentally friendly,” said Pierce Flanigan IV, President of P. Flanigan and Sons.  “We are proud to receive approval from SHA and hope the use of recycled products become more widespread.  Through extensive testing, the Winchester plant ensures that the quality of recycled GAB upholds the standards of SHA for materials to be used in infrastructure projects.”

Using recycled crushed aggregate saves fuel that would otherwise be spent while mining for new material and its subsequent transport from quarries.  Reducing fuel consumption has the added benefit of lowering vehicle emissions, which are harmful to the environment.  Additionally, recycling pavement material conserves shrinking landfill space.  So far, both plants that SHA approved for GAB recycling have saved more than 13,000 tons of natural (not yet mined) aggregate.

SHA has certified two local crushed aggregate recycling centers to incorporate recycled GAB into SHA projects.  SHA’s Office of Materials and Technology rigorously evaluates each project that uses recycled GAB for its effectiveness for a project and environmental protection.  SHA envisions a future where recycled GAB will be part of the competitive bidding process on all resurfacing contracts.

“I applaud the innovative use of recycled aggregate for construction projects throughout the State,” said Neil J. Pedersen, SHA’s Administrator.  “SHA is building environmentally-focused projects and the use of recycled aggregate is a step toward paving the way for a greener and more sustainable highway system.”
                                                 
SHA has also worked with other contractors to use recycled GAB.  David A. Bramble, Inc., an eastern shore contractor, has been certified to use recycled GAB for the ongoing
$22 million US 113 widening project from Hayes Landing Road to north of Goody Hill Road in Worcester County.

SHA is helping to turn the tide of climate change by reducing its State fleet of vehicles by 10 percent by the end of 2010.  In addition, SHA is using a five percent blend of bio-diesel fuel in equipment, as well as recovering and recycling motor oil and filters, Freon, antifreeze, tires and batteries.  In 2008, SHA received a $250,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to retrofit 25 dump trucks with emissions filters.  Additionally, out of a fleet of 930 pool vehicles and light trucks, 270 vehicles are equipped to operate on flex fuels such as a E85 (a blend of gasoline with 85 percent ethanol).

Recycling material, reducing emissions and reusing items are ways SHA is reducing output that may lead to climate change.  These and the other earth-friendly processes and procedures are consistent with Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green and Growing Initiative.

Introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley in October 2008, Maryland’s Smart, Green & Growing initiative was created to strengthen the state’s leadership role in fostering smarter, more sustainable growth and inspiring action among all Marylanders to achieve a more sustainable future. The initiative brings together state agencies, local governments, businesses and citizens to create more livable communities, improve transportation options, reduce the state’s carbon footprint, support resource based industry, invest in green technologies, preserve valuable resource lands and restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.