German firm offers PNG new road maintenance technology

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
PAPUA New Guinea will be­nefit from an innovative road construction technology that promises to put an end to broken pavements and potholes.
An international road construction company based in Germany is in the country to introduce the “cold recycling” road construction method.
It is said to be environment-friendly, uses less materials, saves cost and time plus gives high quality base layers of bitumen which can withstand heavy tonnages, weather and traffic.     
Walter Gruber, product manager of the German company Wirtgen Group, met government officials and other partners in Port Moresby yesterday.
He explained the use and advantages of cold recycling that could improve the road structure in PNG.
“The method rehabilitates the entire road structure and increases its bearing capacity on a lasting basis,” Gruber said.
He said the cold recycling technique is carried out by conjoined machineries or wheeled recyclers, each performing different steps of the process, all at one time. 
The existing pavement including the soil beneath is milled up and crushed.
A homogenous material mixture is then created from cement, water and foamed hot bitumen and becomes the binding agent for the bitumen layer. 
The mixture is then evenly spread across the entire working width by the machine and then sealed with a thin layer of asphalt.     
The technology is proven efficient and sustainable and is widely used in other countries, especially in Asia.
The road layer can last for up to 10 years.
Machineries for the work will be provided by Wirtgen upon identification of contractors, completion of feasibilities, workers trainings and necessary preparations.  
Engineers and planners from the Department of Works, National Airports Corporation, Road Safety Council, National Capital District Commission and partners were at the presentation conference.