Forward-Looking Pavement Renewal

The SR 42 Pavement Replacement project is a demonstration of community-centric engineering and context sensitive solutions.

The original scope for this project called for replacing the outside six feet of both lanes, maintaining the center section, and saving considerable costs. While coordinating with the gas and water utilities, it was discovered that both had aging pipes that were scheduled for replacement in the next decade.

To spare the town the inconvenience of future road disruptions, a proactive decision was taken to collaborate with utility providers and concurrently execute all necessary capital improvements.

Although this would require the full replacement of the pavement and curbs and would add considerable cost, INDOT agreed that it was the most sensible approach and one that would best serve the community.

CMT armed INDOT with the necessary data to make this decision, including the use of ground-penetrating radar to assess the pavement condition, life-cycle cost estimates for a variety of work options, and management of numerous stakeholder meetings. This way, the decision came early enough that INDOT had adequate time to appropriate the funds.

The project also included safety improvements in the pavement replacement project, composed of sight line improvements, special pavement markings, and a new signalized intersection. The project team also used this project as an opportunity to incorporate streetscape improvements that the Town had been planning in the future.