This paper presents a case study on a concrete pavement constructed in 2023 on Highway 3 in the Windsor Essex area of Ontario. The background section provides detailed information about this Design Build project. It then explores the new concrete durability requirements introduced by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) aimed at enhancing the performance of concrete pavement. These requirements include specifications on concrete strength, air voids, rapid chloride permeability (RCP), increased slag content in the mix design, and a new single saw cut for transverse joints.
Subsequently, the paper examines the specification’s smoothness requirements and provides actual smoothness values obtained by the contractor through diamond grinding the concrete surface. The discussion then shifts to pavement noise, comparing the noise levels of the newly specified longitudinally grooved concrete textures with those of two asphalt control sections (SuperPave 12.5 FC 2 and SMA 12.5) and other concrete texture types.
Further discussions focus on safety and how the new aggregate requirement for 60% acid insoluble residue will improve long-term skid resistance of the concrete pavement. The paper concludes by looking at the sustainability of concrete pavement including the actual CO2 footprint of the placed concrete compared to the Ontario industry average baseline global warming potential for a 35 MPa concrete mix with air entrainment. Other sustainable benefits of using concrete pavement such as improved fuel consumption, improved light reflectance and its role as a carbon sink are also briefly discussed.