Slipform paving with the Wirtgen SP 94i helps Capital Paving make the most of their project restrictions and improve quality on I-44 project in Missouri
Interstate paving is no easy feat. Tight project timelines - and even tighter work zones - force contractors to make the most out of every inch they are given to work. To reconstruct the eastbound lanes, Capital Paving & Construction took out the old concrete and has to repave it in two segments. The first segment was 19-ft. total with 12-ft. drive lane and 7-ft. shoulder. The second segment was 22-ft. wide with 12-ft. drive lane and 10-ft. shoulder.
When Capital Paving & Construction was awarded the work to repave the 8 miles of I-44 in Rolla, MO, the company knew they would need the right equipment for the task at hand. “On this project, we knew we were going to have access issues and there would be no room for a traditional dowel basket,” Ryan Porter, Senior Project Manager, Capital Paving & Construction said. “That prompted conversations on how we could work differently on I-44.”
Capital Paving & Construction, based out of Jefferson City, MO, is a third generation family-owned business bringing years of experience, quality work, safety, and commitment to each jobsite. When they were looking for a new machine, they contacted the Wirtgen Group to go see one in action before making any purchasing decisions.
After seeing the machine at work on a jobsite in California, Capital chose to purchase a Wirtgen SP 94i Slipform Paver for this project. This SP 94i has a Dowel Bar Inserter (DBI) that will help them work more efficiently despite their limited access issues.
“Instead of putting the basket out in front of the paver and dumping the trucks over top of it, the DBI inserts the dowel bars right behind the mold,” Tyler Kirchhoff, Foreman, Capital Paving & Construction said. “It makes it easier on the crew and easier for the dump trucks to get back and help out.”
This also helps with labor and efficiency on the jobsite.
“With the DBI, there are so many more efficiencies when you compare it to traditional paving. You can also bring more quantities in at once and you don’t need a placer.”
Ryan Porter, Senior Project Manager, Capital Paving & Construction
And Capital chose to add the TCM 180i to the paver as well. The TCM 180i or Texture Cure Machine is a self-propelled unit that produces the desired surface textures on the freshly paved concrete surface. This machine has a modular machine design that makes it possible to adapt to working widths between 13 ft.,1-in. and 59 ft which is exactly what the Capital team needed to keep working efficiently.
This machine has a modular machine design that makes it possible to adapt to working widths between 13 ft.,1-in. and 59 ft.
Speaking of efficiency, Wirtgen understands that designing a machine that’s easy to use while keeping operators comfortable is key to production. Capital appreciates that Wirtgen listens to the customers needs and delivers with the SP 94i.
“What I really like about this machine is the crows nest. Our old machine did not have that but this new feature allows me to see our bar shooter in action and I can keep an eye on our vibrators. Overall it provides a great view for what we’re doing.”
Brian Wood, Operator at Capital Paving & Construction
Productivity also comes down to the support users receive from the Wirtgen Group. “The support from Wirtgen has been wonderful,” Kirchhoff said. “We set up the DBI at the shop and the Roland team worked with us to bring it back out to the site and reconstruct the paver out there and got it set. They fought the rough time with me for that week and we got everything squared away to where I understood it more and we were good to go after that.”
“The support from Wirtgen has been wonderful.”
Tyler Kirchhoff, Foreman, Capital Paving & Construction
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