'Puckering Up' on Rio Puerco Big Rigs Make 1-40 Project Challenging

摘要

Intestate 40, one of New Mexico's largest arteries, is no longer the "Mother Road," Route 66, where cars rumbled along at less than 50 mph. It's now a high-speed corridor with vehicles frequently exceeding 80 mph. Combine the high speeds, a widely varying climate with asphalt contraction and expansion and 32,000 big rigs roaring through every day, and you have recipe for reconstruction. Project cost is 10 million dollars. Crews from Albuquerque's WW Construction are about halfway complete on rebuilding 8 mi. of freeway west of Albuquerque in a hilly area near the Rio Puerco Wash. The project involves milling and repaving the 8-mi. section with 4, 3-in. lifts of Superpave 2 asphalt. Workers on the job also have to deal with all the 18-wheelers passing through a construction zone.