In total, the Norwegian Public Roads Authority will lay asphalt on national and European roads worth approximately NOK 1 million, and a total of 100 contracts have been concluded with various asphalt contractors.
550 tons of asphalt ready to be laid
The start of the asphalt season varies depending on local conditions, but usually begins in May, when the tele is already out of the ground. In some places, asphalt contractors have already started working on the roads.
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Planning asphalting for several years into the future
Apart from the plans for this year Norwegian Public Roads Authority prepared plans for asphalting national roads for the next three years.
– We are currently working according to a four-year maintenance plan. A longer time horizon gives us better opportunities to coordinate different activities and evaluate different strategies. Thanks to this, we can see the entire road, not just the asphalt. While many people think newly laid asphalt is great, it doesn't help much if the road underneath the asphalt also needs maintenance, says Thor Asbjørn Lunaas, asphalt team leader at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
– This is maintenance being put into the system. We'll see the whole thing. Thanks to this, we will be able to take the right actions at the right time, which will provide us with greater value for money, says Thor Asbjørn Lunaas.
Plans for the coming years are temporary and their implementation depends, among others, on: on the funds in the state budget and the price level. Wear and damage to asphalt can also cause changes.
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Asphalt should last longer
In recent years, the Norwegian Road Administration Public defined the requirements climate and environmental issues in their asphalt contracts. When awarding contracts, emphasis was also placed on CO2 emissions. Asphalt contractors in Norway followed suit, and as a result Norway is currently the world leader in the field climate reduction in the case of asphalt. The Norwegian Public Roads Authority has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent since 2020 and plans reduce CO2 emissions from asphalt by 70 percent by 2030
– In several pilot contracts, we emphasized the properties and quality of asphalt. If we get asphalt that lasts longer, it will be positive for both the climate, the environment and costs, Lunaas says.
Contractors themselves can choose the type of mass and describe the composition, what materials will be used and what properties the asphalt will have.
– Together with the industry, we are working to extend the life of asphalt. In these contracts, we largely use the knowledge and experience of contractors. The result is an asphalt surface that is both durable and climate-friendly at a competitive price, explains Thor Asbjørn Lunaas.
Watch out for workers on the roads
Now that the asphalt season is starting in several places in the country, the road will be a place of work for more men and women. The Norwegian Road Administration clearly appeals to road users to think about the safety of asphalt workers and conductors who will now work along the roads.
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Source: Norwegian Public Roads Authority, Photo: pixabay
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