Lufkin had a problem.
The highway interchange at US 59 and Loop 287 is one of the busiest in the area. Trucks wanting to avoid Lufkin traffic exited US 59 to Loop 287. The volume of traffic, the weight of the vehicles, and the speeds when exiting were taxing the sealcoat surface. It was bleeding and flushed. (Bleeding and flushing occur when hot weather causes the asphalt binder to expand onto the pavement surface, creating a slicker surface that can promote sliding.) When it rained, friction was low, which resulted in vehicles sliding off the road. Attempts at placing conventional hot mix resulted in shoving (a pushing or rippling of the pavement caused by braking) due to the high shear forces. (Read More)