The Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to use carbon-injected concrete in all future construction as part of its sustainable transportation initiative. The material is now approved for all flat work – such as roads and sidewalks – and is being tested for use in vertical projects.
The carbon-injected concrete used in the testing was produced using waste carbon dioxide. Using CarbonCure Technology, the carbon dioxide is mixed into the concrete where it is converted to a mineral and permanently embedded within, also improving the comprehensive strength of the material.
“I am pleased to see HDOT moving ahead with CarbonCure, local concrete companies, and Hawaii Gas to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted during the construction process,” said Hawaiian governor David Ige. “As the daily baseline measurement for carbon dioxide in our atmosphere reaches the highest level in modern history, it is especially important for all of us to do all we can towards ensuring a sustainable Hawaii for future generations.”
Depending on the final specifications, the use of carbon-injected concrete could reduce embodied carbon by 25 pounds per cubic yard. A mile of concrete pavement uses roughly 21,000 cubic yards of concrete.
Bettina Mehnert, President & CEO of Architects Hawaii Ltd. stated, “We applaud the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation for its leadership in demonstrating the use of a more sustainable concrete technology in road construction. As architects, engineers and contractors, it is our collective responsibility to help move the construction industry to follow suit and reduce embodied carbon in our buildings, as well as in our infrastructure.”
