Want to build better roads that are less harmful to our environment and economy due to reconstruction costs and traffic delays? Make them last longer by selecting the right materials! Simon Hesp, a.k.a. Professor Pothole, spoke to the Toronto Star about why Ontario roads are showing so much distress these days. His research collaborations with MTO and the City of Kingston are paying off to build roads with a significantly reduced life-cycle cost. The article was followed by three television interviews (CBC Ottawa, CKWS and Global News Toronto) and as many as 10 radio interviews (CBC Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, St. Catharines, Hamilton, and Calgary). Most of the video and sound clips are available online.
Naysayers can visit Google Street View at the Monkland intersection on Highway 138 in eastern Ontario: Go north for 20 km to Highway 417 and see what poor quality materials tainted with waste engine oil residue do to performance. Go south for 20 km to Cornwall to see a superior performing pavement of nearly equal age, design, climate and sub-grade, but which carries nearly twice the traffic. Last year the City of Kingston placed approximately 50,000 tonnes of asphalt with similar superior quality and durability while the Ministry has implemented one of the three test methods on all contracts that require modified asphalt cement since 2012.