I-95 rebuild relied on the use of foamed glass aggregates to reopen under an expedited timeline in two weeks, a process that typically takes three to six months
Aero Aggregates of North America, the first vertically integrated manufacturer in North America to produce ultra-lightweight foamed glass aggregates, celebrated the reopening of a section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, which collapsed following a gasoline tanker truck fire. Working under an expedited timeline, Aero Aggregates supplied a foamed glass aggregate that has temporarily rebuilt the collapsed section of the corridor while crews work on a permanent rebuild.
Based in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Aero Aggregates’ foamed glass aggregate is produced from 99 percent recycled container glass, which has been diverted from landfills and is developed into a lightweight, gravel-like material that can be used as a backfill to support infrastructure development. The use of this material to support the I-95 rebuild project enabled teams to complete construction under an expedited timeline; a process that typically takes three to six months took only two weeks. Compared to traditional, quarried aggregates, foamed glass aggregates are approximately 85 percent lighter. Their high friction angle and excellent insulation potential have made them a go-to backfill for infrastructure projects over the last 20 years.