Buenos Aires adopts 'cold asphalt' technology for rapid pothole repairs

Buenos Aires is adopting a new cold asphalt technology to repair potholes quickly and with minimal traffic disruption. This method differs from conventional hot asphalt, which requires high temperatures and specialized machinery.

The cold asphalt can be applied directly to damaged road surfaces without preheating. It maintains its adhesion, compaction, and resistance properties at ambient temperatures, simplifying logistics and equipment needs. The application process involves cleaning the affected area, removing loose material, applying the cold asphalt, leveling, and compacting it. This allows for repairs to be completed with small teams, sometimes just two people, and the road can be reopened to traffic almost immediately.

Ignacio Baistrocchi, Minister of Public Space, stated that the city is using cold asphalt for daily maintenance, seeking efficient solutions with the least possible impact on traffic. The material's versatility allows application on various surfaces, including concrete slabs, making it suitable for emergency repairs on high-traffic routes like Metrobus lines. It can also be applied on damp surfaces and in different weather conditions.

Furthermore, the cold asphalt process reduces energy consumption and emissions by eliminating the need for heating during production, transport, and application. This aligns with the city's efforts to improve infrastructure maintenance while minimizing environmental impact and traffic delays.

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We are starting to use cold asphalt as part of the City's day-to-day maintenance work. We are always looking for the best solutions to intervene efficiently and with the least possible impact on traffic.