The Brief

Aggregate Industries was contracted by the City of Edinburgh Council to undertake a road reconstruction project in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The project aimed to resurface a stretch of road on the Northbound A90 at Cramond Bridge. The collaborative effort included several subcontractors, such as McGeady Road Planing, Central Traffic Management, Hamilton Industrial Services, Drumclog Plant & Civil Engineering and Lochwynd.

The work involved milling to a depth of 120-150 millimetres, and resurfacing using a Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) AC 20 HDM Binder 40/60, followed by a TS 2010 Surface Course, drainage improvements were made by replacing a number of gullies. The project commenced on the 4th of July and was scheduled to be completed within 20 shifts.

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The Solution

Aggregate Industries secured the contract with the City of Edinburgh Council, where it was part of the framework for infrastructure projects. Upon securing the package Aggregate Industries mobilised themselves and their subcontractors and commenced the project within 1 week of the Contract Award.

One of the most notable aspects of this project was the use of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) in an AC 20 HDM Binder 40/60, which is produced at lower temperatures compared to conventional mixes. This eco-friendly approach saves carbon emissions, making it a more sustainable choice for road construction.

By using Warm Mix Asphalt, Aggregate Industries, in partnership with Edinburgh Council, demonstrated its commitment to reducing environmental impact. The lower temperature production resulted in decreased energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the project adopted a zero-waste approach, where every tonne of road planings removed from the site, was sent back to Duntilland Quarry to be reused in this, and future projects. The total final tonnages included, 1,725t of Stone Mastic Asphalt and 3,010t of AC Warm Mix Asphalt.

The team completed the project well ahead of schedule. The initial timeline was set at 20 days, but they managed to finish the work in just 16 shifts, even overcoming weather-related delays. This efficient execution showcased the company's expertise and dedication to delivering high-quality results.

Stylianos Kapetanakis, Project Manager at The City of Edinburgh Council comments: “The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) encourages the use of sustainable construction methods and Aggregate Industries (AI) has been an excellent partner in delivering this carriageway resurfacing scheme. Works commenced on time and communication between CEC and AI’s Contract Manager (Scott Edmondson) was always prompt and efficient. During the construction phase, AI’s site team worked closely with CEC Site Supervisors and all challenges were discussed and resolved in a timely manner.”

Working in partnership with Edinburgh Council and implementing value engineering Aggregate Industries final valuation was below the initial tender cost. This investment not only improved the road infrastructure in Edinburgh but has also set a benchmark for sustainable road construction practices in the region.