As part of a collaborative research and development agreement between the Department of Transport and the British Cement Association, a study tour was made in Iowa, USA to gain first hand experience of the Fast Track Concrete Paving system and to examine the feasibility of introducing this form of construction into the UK. In addition to the Department of Transport and the British Cement Association, two major contractors, Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd and Laing Civil Engineering, experienced in road pavement construction were represented on the visit in order that a balanced view could be formed. During the study tour a visit was made to a reconstruction contract in progress at Cedar Rapids, Linn County where the Fast Track paving process was used both for the main carriageway construction and for intersections and entrances to side roads. The intersections were constructed and opened to traffic within a 12-hour period. Various other completed objects were inspected and information on these and the impressions of the visiting party are outlined in the report. (A)
Abstract