Only a small number of asphalt paving contracts come with stunning scenic perks. Guy Woodford reports on one such assignment.
The VÖGELE SUPER 1803-3i wheeled paver is proving its credentials on extreme slopes. On geographically tough terrain such as in the Swiss Alps, asphalt paving is a challenge in itself. Extreme slopes, narrow roads and steep precipices place demands on the paving team and the machine technology alike. In the mountain village of Castiel, located in the Arosa district in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, HEW Bauunternehmung (HEW) opted to use the SUPER 1803-3i wheeled paver for the rehabilitation of the combined base and surface course on a farm track. Located at an altitude of around 1,200 metres, the construction project featured an extreme slope with a gradient of up to 11%. To make matters harder, the farm track was only designed for vehicles weighing up to 18tonnes. This was just the job for the innovative wheeled paver of VÖGELE‘s ‘Dash 3’ generation.
In Castiel, the high traction and manoeuvrability of the SUPER 1803-3i were particularly impressive.
“That makes working on extreme slopes almost as simple as on flat terrain,“ said paver operator Oliveira Rodrigues Hugo. With its powerful drive and material handling system, it was easy enough for the HEW paving team to complete the construction project in one shift. The short set-up times of the paver also contributed to this.
VÖGELE sensors for grade and slope control, for instance, can be connected according to the plug & play principle: the VÖGELE Niveltronic Plus System for Automated Grade and Slope Control detects the connected sensor automatically. The screed operator then simply defines the specified values using the quick set-up function – and the work can begin. When its job is done, the paver also makes a quick exit: the SUPER 1803-3i can travel at up to 20km/h under its own power.
Leading infrastructure services company FM
The accreditation signals that the company’s production controls comply with the European Union’s high safety, health and environmental protection standards and follows a comprehensive audit by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
FM Conway, which is responsible for constructing and maintaining roads, buildings, structures and public spaces across London and the South East, has invested heavily in its materials manufacturing capabilities. With a focus on producing high quality asphalt as well as aggregate and concrete products, the business’s network includes a series of asphalt plants and depots across the south east of England in addition to the Gravesend terminal.
FM Conway’s director of aggregates and asphalt, Tim Metcalf, said: “This accreditation is testament to our commitment to upholding internationally recognised values of efficiency and customer satisfaction.
“Achieving an efficient materials supply chain for infrastructure projects in the south of England has always been a challenge for our industry, with many key materials having to be imported thereby adding costs and carbon miles to projects. We continue to invest in our materials manufacturing capabilities so that we can deliver high quality, cost-effective construction products for projects across London and the South East.”
