IGGA members restore 54 Arkansas ramps overnight
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A recent project on Interstate 57 in Arkansas shows what can be done when experienced contractors, the right materials and careful planning come together. Crews rehabilitated 54 ramps along roughly 54 miles of the Cabot–Newport corridor. Most of the repaired areas reopened to traffic the same night the concrete was placed.
Repairing the damage and keeping the rest
The project team did not tear out and rebuild entire ramps. Instead, crews removed only the deteriorated sections of concrete and replaced them, completing 10,445 square yards of full-depth repair while preserving most of the existing pavement. This approach addressed structural problems where they actually occurred and avoided the cost and disruption of full reconstruction.
Once the repairs had cured, 104,982 linear feet of joints were resealed with hot-pour sealant, and 124,657 square yards of pavement were diamond ground. The grinding restored a smooth, even riding surface and renewed the pavement texture. As a result, the finished ramps gained both structural repair and better ride quality.
Most of the work took place during overnight closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The exact schedule shifted with the day, the direction of travel and traffic control needs. Within that window, crews removed damaged concrete, produced and places new material, and finished each repair.
The members behind the work
IGGA member Diamond Surface Inc. served as the contractor for the core of the project and handled the diamond grinding, patch repairs and joint sealing. Because one firm was responsible for the application of all three techniques, the repair, sealing and surface restoration work could move forward on a single coordinated schedule. That coordination mattered a great deal given the short overnight closures.
A key component of the project was the use of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement, produced by IGGA member Fastrac Construction Products. CSA cement gains strength quickly and shrinks very little as it cures, which makes it well suited for busy interstate ramps where a long closure can back up traffic and complicate the rest of the construction schedule.
A practical model for agencies and contractors
Transportation agencies face steady pressure to get more years out of the pavement they already have while keeping delays for the traveling public to a minimum. The I-57 project offers a clear example of how full-depth repairs, joint sealing and diamond grinding can work together to extend service life without the expense of starting over. For contractors and suppliers, it also shows how rapid-setting materials make it possible to complete demanding work inside tight overnight closures.
To read the full case study click here: https://ow.ly/cB2950ZZI2u