I-95 to Congress Ave, Boca Raton, Florida
How we made most dangerous overpass in South Florida safer
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- Boca Raton, Florida
Summary
After being approached for our expertise in high friction surfacing WJ’s first high friction surface treatment (HFST) of 2024 was completed at the Southbound exit off I-95 to Congress Ave in Boca Raton, FL. The exit ramp is known as the most dangerous overpass in South Florida. This exit ramp had a HFST installed in 2018 to reduce these accidents. In 2023, the original HFST was deemed to be worn and ineffective. WJ, working with Skidabrader Group and Prince Contracting, LLC milled and removed the old layer and installed a new HFST layer to improve the safety of this ramp.
Objectives
In 2017, an article in the Palm Beach Post stated: “Statistics show that the Congress Ave and I-95 overpass in Boca Raton could be the most dangerous exit and entrance ramp in South Florida, with more than 150 crashes there since 2011.” A high friction surface treatment was originally applied to the exit ramp in 2018 reducing the accidents, however, due to wear and weathering, the treatment was deemed to be ineffective in 2023 and the HFST needed to be renewed.
Solution
Prince Contracting approached Skidabrader and WJ Surface Treatments to improve the friction on the intersection’s exit ramp, creating a safer driving surface for Florida road users.
High Friction Surface Treatment is a safety treatment where specialised 100% calcined bauxite aggregate is combined with a binder and applied to asphalt or concrete, to enhance the coefficient of friction on the road’s surface. This aggregate creates more contact points between the tyre and the road, with a resistance to polishing, enhancing surface grip and decreasing stopping distances.
No other pavement surface treatments are known to enhance the pavement friction to the same level.
Outcome
Through use of specialist surface preparation equipment, WJ Surface Treatment efficiently removed the existing surface treatment via captive shot blasting and delivered new high friction surface application to the exit ramp on the intersection. The work was undertaken during the night when traffic volumes were at their lowest and was completed in 1 shift, resulting in minimal road disruption.
Mark Archer, International Technical Operations Manager at WJ Surface Treatments commented: “WJ Surface Treatments is proud to have contributed to improving the safety of Florida intersections, , we are excited to continue this work across the USA and bring our unique international experience to the shores of the states.”
