Georgia DOT Amends Asphalt Specs to Include Recycled Tires

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has amended the state’s road construction specifications to include recycled tire rubber as an alternative to oil-based polymers for road asphalt production.

Starting this year, recycled tire rubber will be diverted from tire landfills and be used in to make asphalt.

“Tires are manufactured in large quantities and with great durability. By reclaiming tire rubber for asphalt roads, we can repurpose that durability and provide a beneficial outlet for this problematic waste material,” says Georgia State Rep. Randy Nix, vice chairman of Georgia’s Natural Resources and Environment Committee. “And, by sourcing tire rubber from within the state, Georgia will not only experience environmental benefits but create jobs. Oil-based polymers are brought here from other states and countries. Recycled rubber is sourced internally, so all dollars stay right here in Georgia.”

In planning to develop a significant end market for used tires, Nix sought the expertise of Liberty Tire Recycling, Lehigh Technologies and Blacklidge Emulsions. With new test data from these national companies, GDOT says it accelerated its approval of the process and will have recycled tire rubber specs available for asphalt road jobs bids, starting in April 2012.

“Liberty Tire Recycling and our partners are excited to work with GDOT to create longer-lasting, safer roads for Georgia residents and visitors,” says Dick Gust, director of government affairs for Liberty Tire Recycling. “Rubberized asphalt is a technology backed by decades of research and development, but it takes forward-thinking government officials like Reps. Nix and (Jay) Roberts, Sen. (Jeff) Mullis and (GDOT) Commissioner (Keith) Golden to bring an initiative like this to fruition.”