The $20 million ND 14 Test Section project, a collaboration between the North Dakota Department of Transportation and other partners, focused on improving statewide asphalt durability by replacing traditional design methods with Balanced Mix Design or BMD. BMD incorporates performance tests to evaluate asphalt’s resistance to cracking, rutting, and moisture damage, which are critical concerns in the state’s extreme climate. An eight-mile stretch between Sterling and Wing was constructed with eight different test sections, each designed with varying resistance levels. These sections are being tested in the lab and monitored in the field for real-world performance. The project also improved ride quality and road width along ND 14, a major truck route. With fiscal support from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Federal Highway Administration’s pooled fund, the initiative aims to advance innovative pavement technologies, ultimately leading to longer-lasting, cost-effective pavements that save money for local and regional agencies.
America's Transportation Awards 