Charleston County testing new, high-tech treatment to increase lifespan of pavement

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County’s Public Works Pavement Management department is working on a pilot program with a new, high-tech asphalt treatment.

The treatment includes titanium dioxide which goes on yellow but dries clear. The titanium dioxide protects the asphalt from emission pollution from vehicles and protects the asphalt from damaging heat.

“That titanium dioxide gets drawn into the roadway and it improves the environment around the road,” Technical Consultant with Pavement Technology Ken Holton said.

The county partnered with Holton’s company to test the mixture on Lowcountry roads, and is one of the first agencies in the Lowcountry to use it. County Pavement Manager Mackenzie Kelley said they chose to test the product in a specific area right off I-26.

“We think Union Heights and Rosemont can have the most benefit from this treatment,” Kelley said. “They have the most vehicle emissions right by the neighborhood.”

She said the county is working with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control because the agency has an air monitor nearby. This will help them collect pre-treatment and post-treatment data. Staff with the county will evaluate how the treatment works to determine if they want to use it again in the future.

The pilot program cost about $60,000 of leftover transportation sales tax local paving funding.

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