For Immediate Release
March 14, 2023
VIDEO RELEASE:
FDOT Opens First In The Southeast Concrete Testing Facility on U.S. 301
FDOT continues strategic focus on innovative technology to enhance safety and resiliency
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Drivers on northbound U.S. 301 will soon play an important role in FDOT’s effort to identify the most effective concrete pavement designs throughout the state. The new concrete “test road” is the first of its kind in the southeastern United States: a field laboratory that utilizes live traffic loads to test concrete pavement and base designs.
Pavement testing equipment and monitors are strategically placed along the 4-mile roadway segment, allowing FDOT engineers to monitor pavement conditions in real time under live traffic, including heavy truck traffic. The concrete test road’s innovative design will utilize the existing U.S. 301 northbound lanes to divert traffic off the test road when needed, providing engineers full access to the test areas. This concept also allows for new test sections to be constructed without interruption to U.S. 301 traffic. The test road is located just south of County Road 218 to just north of Richard Mosely Road.
WATCH: Interview with FDOT State Materials Engineer
“Serving Florida’s communities is the heart of FDOT’s mission and U.S. 301 concrete test road is an innovative tool to allow us to improve our roads,” said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “Using innovative technologies to collect real time data on the efficacy of various types of concrete available to use on Florida’s roads allows us to use the most effective materials to create resilient transportation corridors and reliable supply chains while prudently using taxpayer dollars. The more resilient the materials we use, the longer they last, reducing our maintenance costs and construction times, limiting the congestion travelers feel in active work zones.”
“The concrete test road is a unique facility that incorporates cutting-edge technology to help further our understanding of pavement safety and performance,” said FDOT State Materials Engineer Howie Mosely, P.E. “The information we collect will help us optimize concrete pavement designs for safety, longevity and cost-effectiveness, ultimately delivering a better roadway experience to residents and visitors to our state.”
The concrete test road is located parallel to the existing U.S. 301 northbound lanes from Richard Mosely Road to County Road 218. U.S. 301 northbound drivers will be diverted onto the test road just after Richard Mosely Road and reconnect with existing U.S. 301 northbound lanes at the end of the track. Traffic is scheduled to be diverted to the newly constructed concrete test road on Tuesday, March 14.
Stay informed about lane closures and roadwork in your area by following FDOT District 2 at @MyFDOT_NEFL on Twitter, at MyFDOTNEFL on Facebook or by visiting nflroads.com. Drivers seeking real-time traffic alerts may visit www.FL511.com or download the FL511 app.
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www.fdot.gov | Twitter: @MyFDOT | Facebook: @MyFDOT
The Florida Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity and preserves the quality of the state’s environment and communities. The department is committed to building a transportation system that not only fits the current needs of Florida’s residents and visitors but also enhances mobility throughout the state to accommodate its consistent and rapid growth. The unique nature of the Sunshine State and its year-round warm climate provides numerous opportunities to achieve the department’s mission through multiple transportation modes including highways/streets, air, rail, sea, spaceports, transit, and the ever-expanding deployment of bicycle & pedestrian facilities.