Sealing the cracks: MTO studies why Ontario roads are cracking prematurely.

• Author: Macdonald, Darren
• Position: TRANSPORTATION

The fact that some roads are cracking prematurely in Ontario isn't news to anyone, but problems are emerging with roads that have been built using new specifications designed to make them last longer.

Simon Hesp, an asphalt researcher at Queen's University, made headlines recently when he pointed out that at least some of the issues are related to the use of recycled motor oils in asphalt cement.

Hesp has been working with the City of Kingston over the last five years, and is now also working with Timmins to test and build roads using new mixtures. But some of the roads built in Kingston have already started to fail.

"We've implemented these new test methods that I've developed based on 50 trial sections around the province," Hesp said. "And some of the pavement has started to crack, which shouldn't happen."

He suspects the problem lies with the asphalt cement, and says one of the most likely causes is the mixture they tested at the start wasn't the same asphalt cement that was used in the pavement.

"Or they added some recycled asphalt to the mixture when we were not looking. And that happens all over the place."

Hesp is working with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to get a handle on why some highways in the province are cracking prematurely.

Ministry spokesperson Bob Nichols said asphalt pavements across Ontario are experiencing early cracking failures and the MTO has been looking for guidance.

Indications are that it's a problem with the asphalt cement, the glue that holds the roads together.

"In partnership with Queen's University, MTO has developed laboratory tests to address asphalt cement quality issues."

New testing and specifications have been developed in conjunction with researchers and asphalt industry reps, he said.

An asphalt cement steering committee will "review data and define an implementation plan for the new specification, taking into consideration industry concerns with available supply of good quality asphalt cement.

"A plan has been developed with staged implementation of the desired tests over the next two years."

The issue of roads is big in Sudbury, but Hesp said he hasn't heard from municipal officials.

"Nothing has happened," he said, "except the mayor has spoken in council that there is a problem with the asphalt quality in Sudbury."

However, he's hesitant to blame roads officials for not pursuing the ideas his research has raised.

"Maybe they don't have enough staff to look into this."

But Tony Cecutti, the...