Reclamation used to repair county roads

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
When the Franklin County Highway Department began experimenting with full depth soil reclamation several years ago, they had no idea they would be the example that others would look to.
But five years after first using cement in the base mixture on several county roads, others have followed their lead.
"Franklin County was the first in Alabama to use this in 2002," said Robert Taylor, with the Portland Cement Association.
Full-depth reclamation with cement is the process of recycling pavement and base materials in place rather than removing and hauling the existing materials away.
The department repaired Lark Drive, Camp Road and Dogwood Drive in Phil Campbell last week using the process, which officials say saves time and money.
"With the conventional method of repairing a road, you are required to dig it out and haul it away," said county engineer David Palmer.
"It involves several pieces of equipment that all require fuel, which continues to go out the roof. With this, all of the trucks are eliminated. It saves about eight trucks on an average job.
"A conventional method of base repair would take 15 people minimum. We can do a project with six using this."
Palmer said the process saves time and money, which allows more projects to be completed.
"We are saving on fuel, personnel and equipment."
Taylor said the efforts made in Franklin County are now being seen throughout the region.
"It's being used extensively now," he said. "David's a pioneer in soil stabilization."