This notice is about a decision that was not subject to the normal consultation process. Learn more about the types of notices on the Technical Consultation Portal.
Why consultation isn't required
EXCEPTION
A formal consultation took place in April 2021 before implementation of the TCP and additional targeted consultation was subsequently implemented to resolve concerns.
MTO has conducted extensive targeted advance consultation with internal staff and with asphalt cement suppliers, asphalt producers and contractors represented by the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council(OAPC) which is part of the Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA).Further consultation through the TCP is not required because no objections have been brought forward to MTO through targeted consultation with all impacted stakeholders on the proposed specification.
Exception details
EXCEPTION
This NSSP accelerates the widespread implementation of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and substantially reduces Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by producing asphalt mixes at lower temperatures. The intention is to include this NSSP in select contracts starting next year to further assess the benefits.
WMA is defined as a group of technologies that allow for a reduction in the temperatures at which asphalt mixtures are produced and placed, relative to traditional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). This reduction usually varies from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius. Producing and paving asphalt at these lower temperatures generates fewer emissions and requires less energy than HMA while maintaining or enhancing pavement performance.
Producing WMA at al least 20°C below the production temperature of HMA could reduce GHGs emissions on MTO’s highways to around 8,600 t CO2equivalent/year.
In addition to temperature measurement, emissions measurements are conducted at the asphalt plant to verify GHGs reduction.
In this specification, the maximum production temperature at the asphalt plant for WMA shall be a maximum of 135°C or at least 20°C below the HMA production temperature and not exceeding 150°C.
If these temperatures are exceeded, then WMA is produced at HMA mixing temperatures and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will not be reduced, and one of WMA’s most important environmental benefits will be lost.
If the WMA does not conform to the specification requirement, it will still be accepted into the work subject to a payment adjustment as follows:
WMA Payment Adjustment = -3% x price x quantity of non-conforming WMA
Where:
price = the Contract price of the WMA tender item
quantity of non-conforming WMA = quantity (t, m2) of non-conforming WMA