Smooth Sailing on I-80 Milesburg

In early August, the final wearing course was placed on eastbound mainline I-80 Milesburg, from the west side of State Road 150 to the limits of work up in the mountain. The section represents approximately 13,000 feet or 66 percent of the 2006 total project length. We are pleased to report that the smoothness of the paving on this section averaged a 35.5 IRI (International Roughness Index) for the travel lane and passing lane.

The IRI index is based on the following scale:

• <= 35 : maximum bonus
• <= 50 : medium bonus
• <= 60 : low bonus
• <= 70 : no bonus
• >70 : corrective action required

We are very pleased with the quality of material placed by Plant 1 and the density achieved on the wearing course (led by Mike Dotts and Jim Pollach). The high level of productivity attained, coupled with no safety incidents, resulted in a textbook operation. The three-day operation placing the final wearing course was a testament that safety, quality and productivity can all be achieved simultaneously when working with highly skilled and dedicated GOH professionals.

Thanks go out to the aggregate and asphalt plants, trucking, equipment maintenance operations and project management staff led by Jeff Laninger, Scott Norman, Craig Dean, Paula Livingston, and Kurt Ross and crew, whose excellent performance make us all proud to be on the GOH team.