The completed section of road on Raymond Terrace. Image: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison
Bio-bitumen is being used as part of a trial in New South Wales to create a more environmentally friendly road network in the state.
Bio-bitumen, known as ECO5, uses repurposed material including recycled crushed glass, asphalt and crumbed rubber from end-of-life tyres to create a lower carbon output asphalt.
NSW Transport is currently monitoring the road material as part of a trial with Colas. If the Raymond Terrace trial is successful, the department could adopt the ECO5 as part of its wider road network.
“This trial is an important milestone in moving towards using more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials as part of our daily road practices,” Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said.
“The asphalt company Colas developed the ECO5 product, and the asphalt produced for this trial came from their Tomago plant in Port Stephens. The product was developed through a combination of local and international research and development.
“It’s great to see Port Stephens is laying the foundations for a greener future and better local roads.”
Transport for NSW senior manager maintenance Stuart Baverstock said the trial could lead to a wider, positive impact for the state.
“Transport for NSW wanted to see what sort of environmentally beneficial asphalt products were out in the market and what we could utilise on our roads as a better environmental product,” he said.
“Transport for NSW uses a huge amount of asphalt. It is a very carbon-rich product, so if we can reduce that even in small amounts then we will get huge savings.”
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