A test run of a unique paving material in Coquitlam proved a success but its higher cost means the technology likely won't be installed throughout the city.
In November 2013, the city and the contractor Mainroad removed a stretch of asphalt on Mariner Way, between Como Lake Avenue and Mara Drive, and repaved the northbound lanes with standard black asphalt while the southbound lanes were treated to EZ Street asphalt with UV reflective technology. The porous EZ Street material is similar to standard asphalt but the UV technology makes it much lighter with the addition of a clear polymer binding material.
Test probes were installed on both sides of Mariner to measure heat, reflectivity and noise, all of which fared better on the side with the EZ Street/UV material, according to city staff, who presented the findings to Coquitlam's council-in-committee on Monday.
Additional benefits include easier storage, a longer application season (the material can be applied in cold temperatures), increased durability due to its self-healing properties and a reduced "urban heat island" effect, said director of works Jamie Umpleby.
The cost, however, is a drawback, staff said.
Milling and paving a conventional asphalt road costs about $44 per square metre while the EZ Street with UV technology costs about $50 per square metre. The material itself is also double the cost of conventional asphalt, largely because it's not widely used.
Mayor Richard Stewart suggested working with other municipalities to create bulk purchasing opportunities to lower the overall cost as well as using the material on paving projects that are eligible for development cost charge funding.
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