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Scientists are now working on concrete that “heals itself. “ This could greatly reduce the cost of maintain critical aspects of infrastructure.   This is the result of research involving polymers underway at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The researchers are developing a self-healing cement for use in harsh environments where cement can fail over time due to exposure to chemical and physical stresses. When cement in power plants, geothermal wells, oil and gas applications, or hydroelectric dams fails, it can lead to expensive excavation, repair and replacement costs, along with lost production time and revenue, and potential environmental concerns.   Funded by the DOE’s Geothermal Technology Office, scientists have been able to create self-healing cements by adding polymers to traditional cement mixes. The resulting cement has re-adhering properties that extend its lifetime and reduce the risk of failure. The scientists discov...

According to a new study, driving on bad roads in California costs the state’s drivers $61 billion each year. Founded in 1971, TRIP  is a nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates and distributes economic and technical data on surface transportation issues. TRIP has conducted a study that has calculated the cost to the average motorist in the state’s largest urban areas in the form of additional vehicle operating costs (VOC) as a result of driving on rough roads. The study also takes into account the cost of lost time and wasted fuel due to congestion, as well as the financial cost of traffic accidents. The report examines the overall condition, use and safety of California’s roads, highways and bridges, and the state’s future mobility needs. And when it comes to bridges, more than 1,500 of California’s bridges (20 feet or longer) are structurally deficient. That means there is “significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components.”...

The 1.98B 405 Freeway Widening Project is Progressing with the Closure of the McFadden Avenue Bridge The 405 freeway widening project has entered a new phase with the announcement that the McFadden Avenue bridge over the 405 Freeway in Huntington Beach and Westminster will close and stay out of service for about a year so it can be rebuilt.   Demolition of the bridge is expected to begin Aug. 18 and continue for multiple nights.   Once rebuilt, it will include two lanes in each direction and a sidewalk and a bike lane in each direction, according to Orange County Transportation Authority spokesman Eric Carpenter. The current configuration has one lane in each direction and a sidewalk on the north side of the bridge. The McFadden Avenue bridge is one of more than 18 bridges slated to either be built, widened or replaced for the 405 widening, which Transportation Authority officials say will help improve travel times on the freeway.   The  project  encompa...