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Council reviews recycled‑asphalt option for 2025 street‑maintenance contract
Summary
At a March 10 first reading, the Upper Arlington City Council discussed an ordinance to authorize a Strauss Paving Company contract for the 2025 street maintenance program and a high‑content recycled asphalt alternate; no vote was taken and the matter returns April 14.
The Upper Arlington City Council on March 10 held a first reading of Ordinance 9‑2025, authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Strauss Paving Company for construction services for the 2025 street maintenance program and discussing an alternate that would use high‑content recycled asphalt for the surface course.
Council members and staff focused on material performance and specification limits for recycled content. Director Scott said the recycled pavement "is functioning just as well," adding that "some of the studies are showing even better in certain things." Scott told council the high‑content recycled option applies only to the surface course on the city’s SMP (street maintenance program) work and that the alternate under consideration would use recycled material for all asphalt placed under that SMP program.
Why it matters: using higher percentages of recycled asphalt can affect lifecycle performance, procurement costs and environmental impacts for the city’s paving program. Council members asked for clarification on the composition and the expected percentage of recycled material under the alternate.
Details and discussion: Scott said a typical virgin‑asphalt material specification can include up to 15% recycled material, while the alternate spec the city would award allows "up to 60 or 70%" recycled content in the surface course. Council members asked whether performance differs between recycled and virgin mixes; Scott responded that performance is comparable and in some measures better in studies cited by staff. A council member also noted that some bids for street work came in under budget and thanked staff for starting the year with competitive pricing.
Next steps: Council did not vote on the ordinance at the March 10 meeting because it was at first reading; the item was scheduled for a second reading, public hearing and council action at the April 14 meeting.
