2025 Nominees
Project Name
Newbury Concrete Improvement Project
Description
Project Overview: The Newbury Concrete Pavement Improvement Project represents a model for excellence in urban highway construction and innovation. This project, undertaken by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), addressed critical infrastructure needs by replacing deteriorated road surfaces with high-performance concrete pavement, ensuring safety, durability, and sustainability for one of Newbury's key transportation corridors. Notably, this is the first concrete pavement project in Massachusetts in 30 years. Its success has paved the way for additional concrete projects, which are already being scheduled for 2025 and beyond. The project employed advanced concrete mix design optimized for strength and longevity, incorporating recycled materials such as slag cement along with Type IL cement to reduce its environmental footprint. Safety enhancements included slip-resistant surfaces and high-reflectivity coatings, while innovative staged construction techniques and concrete performance minimized disruptions to commuters and local businesses by reducing the construction phase by half as compared to asphalt. Maturity testing was added to the project, impressing MassDOT so much that it is now a required contractor quality control measure to expedite traffic openings and reduce physical compressive testing. This milestone was made possible through an extraordinary collaboration between the Massachusetts Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association (MaCAPA), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), ACPA-NY Chapter, MacKay Construction, and NRMCA Producer Member, J. G. MacLellan Concrete Co., Inc. Together, these participants delivered a project that exemplifies innovation, quality, and teamwork. This project significantly improved transportation reliability, reduced lifecycle costs, and enhanced the quality of life for residents and visitors. It serves as a benchmark for MassDOT’s commitment to delivering durable and sustainable infrastructure and stands as a testament to the transformative power of modern concrete pavement.
• Completion Date: September - 2024
• Project Length & Size: Overall Project – 7.1 Miles – Concrete Section 1 Mile
• Project Cost: $17,187,676.85
• Contractor: MacKay Construction
• Design Engineer: Massachusetts Department of transportation
• Supplier: J. G. MacLellan Concrete Co., Inc.
NRMCA Members: J.G. MacLellan Concrete / MaCAPA / Chryso / Holcim
Evidence
NRMCA Members: J.G. MacLellan Concrete / MaCAPA / Chryso / Holcim
Winner of the Slag Cement in sustainable Concrete Project of the year award in the DURABILITY category
Concrete was designed for a 50 year service life along with consideration on environmental impact. Type IL cement was brought in specifically to use along with Slag cement. Extensive lab testing and batch plant verification by MassDOT was required well in advance of project start date. J. G. Maclellan Concrete used the time before to install new plant at their Amesbury, MA. location to insure quality, consistency, and service for the project.
The requested testing by MassDOT involved:
* ASTM C78/C78M-22, “Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple
Beam with Third-Point Loading)”
* ASTM C1876-19, “Standard Test Method for Bulk Electrical Resistivity or Bulk Conductivity of
Concrete”
* ASTM C666-15, “Standard Test Method for Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and
Thawing”
* AASHTO T 336-22, “Standard Method of Test for Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Hydraulic
Cement Concrete”
* AASHTO T 160-22, “Standard Method of Test for Length Change of Hardened Hydraulic Cement
Mortar and Concrete”
* AASHTO T 161-22, “Standard Method of Test for Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and
Thawing”
DEGREE OF SATURATION RESULTS:
AVERAGE SPECIFICATION
S(%) 30 years 33.28 <85%
S(%) 50 years 40.60 <85%
More test results available
Images
