Bald Peak Road Wins Paving Award

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 02, 2010

The Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon recently awarded Washington County the First Place Quality Award for asphalt pavement construction in the Rural Road Category for paving of Bald Peak Road. The Department of Land Use & Transportation Operations Division designed and managed the paving overlay. The road work was performed by Baker Rock Resources during the summer of 2009.

Not only was the paving job well constructed, but the county is using this road as a test section to compare the use of warm mix asphalt against hot mix asphalt with the road being paved half and half. Although warm mix asphalt has been used for years in Europe and other parts of this country, it is a relatively new product in our region. Warm mix asphalt is environmentally friendly because the lower production temperatures reduce emissions and less fuel is consumed in the production process. It benefits the contractor because it increases the time available for transporting, placing, and compacting the material. Baker Rock Resources recently upgraded their Farmington Road plant to manufacture warm mix asphalt.

The Association's Excellence in Paving Awards program has been recognizing the very best paving projects for 40 years. A committee of paving professionals reviewed many statewide projects and selected the Bald Peak Road project for the First Place Award, based on pavement smoothness, roadway finish and project complexity.

County employees accepted the award at today's Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting. Rick Petrie led the project inspection efforts assisted by Scott Gorsek. Mike Day provided contract administration support.

Washington County is committed to building and maintaining the best transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users, and to operating the county roadway system in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.

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