July 28, 2010
Thousands of yards available for county, city, school projects.
Some of the valley’s most significant recycling efforts are located right under the feet of residents who use paths and roadways built or improved with Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) that is still around from the upgrade of the Driggs- Reed Memorial Airport.“Except for the hauling, RAP left over from the old runway in Driggs has been basically free to the county,” said Teton County Engineer Louis Simonet. “Even better than just being free gravel, this material has oil in it, resulting in a really good grade road base with binder already in it that effectively cuts down on dust.”
The RAP has been used by the county to improve the last mile east on Hastings Lane before it meets with State Line Road, and it was the road base used for the recently completed pathway between Teton High School and Middle School, saving the School District roughly $30,000 in cost.
“It was wonderful,” said School Superintendent Monte Woolstenhulme. “It was very generous.”
The City of Driggs donated the RAP for the pathway that was built as a joint effort between the City, Teton County and Teton Valley Trails and Pathways.
This was the first of many pathways in Driggs constructed by collaboration of the latter entities. According to Driggs Public Works Director Jared Gunderson, another pathway connecting Fifth Street to the Skate Park is scheduled for completion before the snow falls in a few months.
“We’ve used the recycled asphalt from the old runway to upgrade Johnson and Fremont Avenues, as well as Fifth Street in Driggs,” Gunderson said. “This has saved the City roughly $100,000, and we still have about a quarter of the pile left at the airport.”
After the old runway at the Driggs- Reed Memorial Airport was removed and crushed, Gunderson said approximately 15,000 yards of material was left behind. Given to Teton County at not cost, improvements to Cedron Road near Paradise Springs have been made a reality, as well as other problem areas that do not require an entirely new road.
“The stability of roads built with RAP is far better than those improved with pit run or crushed gravel,” Gunderson said. “With so much material still left at the airport, we have been letting private citizens call the City to take advantage of the recycled material. This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. It’s such good material.”
One trip down the previously washboarded and rutted Johnson Avenue is testament to how effective the RAP is for road building. To inquire about how to get your hands on some of the road base, call the City of Driggs at 208-354-2362.
