Mid City Times

The City of Fort Worth has introduced a new road rehabilitation technique called "modified rubblization" on Northern Cross Boulevard. This method, implemented by the City's Pavement Management Team in collaboration with Street Services, is a cost-effective approach to maintaining concrete roads.

Rubblization involves breaking up existing concrete pavement into small pieces and using it as a base layer for a new asphalt surface. This process serves as large-scale recycling for concrete streets, offering an environmentally friendly solution that avoids material waste and reduces costs compared to full concrete reconstruction.

The technique was applied on a 0.4-mile stretch of Northern Cross Boulevard, marking the first project of its kind in Fort Worth. The busy road, frequented by various types of traffic, was in poor condition and deemed suitable for this pilot project. The restoration took just three weeks and demonstrated the potential for rubblization to be both quick and economical.

"The City saved over 70% compared to the cost of traditional concrete reconstruction," officials noted. Savings were primarily due to not needing to remove old materials or bring in new ones for the base layer.

While modified rubblization may not be suitable for all concrete street projects, where applicable, it provides a resilient and sustainable alternative to traditional methods. This innovative approach offers a smart way to extend the life of deteriorated streets.