Suburban
Willowmead Lane in Ballantyne Park is undergoing rehabilitation using earthzyme, which is a long-term soil stabiliser that is designed to increase stability of high clay content materials by increasing its density after compaction, with residents funding the repairs to the tune of US$37 203,34.
Suburban Reporter
This type of technology ensures road stabilisation and continued dust suppression resulting in a gravel road that does not corrugate, develop potholes and does not require grading, which means it surpasses conventional roads’ usability and meets environmental standards.
According to information provided by one of the companies involved in the rehabilitation of Willowmead Lane, Rubicon, the advantages of the technology are that is it cost effective and the road will take 10 years with a single application and maintenance of water run-off.
The technology also makes the road robust, weatherproof, self-healing and produces 80 percent less dust than a conventional gravel road. The road can be tarred later in the future using the earthzyme as the base.
The disadvantages of the technology are that the road is gravel but does not have to be graded, generates dust but 80 percent less than a conventional gravel road and does not look like tar.
Construction is expected to take five days and Willowmead Lane has been closed to through traffic but local traffic is being accommodated with minimum inconvenience.
Council and the local community have been requested to provide labour to clear storm drains and dig water run-off channels.
“Without adequate drainage, the road will be compromised over the course of rainy seasons to come. The use of earthzyme on the road will provide a hard running surface. This will provide two options to the community leave the road as an earthzyme road for life while maintaining water drainage (or) apply a capping of choice at a time when council can (suggested spray and chip),” Rubicon said in a statement.
Earthzyme has also been used on some roads in certain municipalities in Canada and in Guinea. In Canada, 5 kilometres of Curries Landing Road in Manitoba in the rural municipality of Cornwalls was treated with earthzyme for use as a haul road fir six gravel pits servicing 300 plus loaded trucks per day.
This resulted in significant reductions in maintenance and operational costs, according to a case study cited by Rubicon.
“Grading reduced from two to three times per week prior 2015 to once every two years. No need to replenish gravel, eliminated the need to apply water-related dust control, reduction in labour and equipment costs.
“They have since treated 12km of roads with earthzyme. After trying to take a core sample with a core drill, Brandon University had to resort to using a concrete saw instead to conduct their research. This road will continue to perform very well for many more years to come.” Residents welcomed the rehabilitation of Willowmead Lane saying it was long overdue.
“Excellent long overdue, well done to whoever motivated this,” said a resident.
Another resident commented: “A lot of people from the area are contributing substantial funds towards this.”
Other residents expressed hope the repairs will last this time around.
“Hopes it lasts longer this time. I remember it being done several years back but the repair job didn’t last very long. Is there a guarantee on the work done? Some indicative costs would be greatly appreciated if some can share?” said a resident.
According to documents shared by the companies involved in the repairs, the total cost of the project is US$37 203,34. Bitumen World is undertaking the repairs on Willowmead Lane.
