I’m deeply curious about a quarter-mile stretch of pavement on U.S. Highway 550 North, just before Electra Lake. I’ve been cycling and driving across this “Test Section” for years and have always given pause to wonder: “What, exactly, is the Test Section? Who ordered this Test Section? Is it safe? Did I help pay for this Test Section and if so, why haven’t I been informed of the results? And most importantly, why, when you say the words ‘Test Section’ 10 times really fast, it begins sounding rather creepy? – Just Another Durangatang Shaking His Head
At first glance, this special “Test Section” might seem to be created specifically for teachers.
Teachers have tough jobs. The hours are long, the work is draining, the pay isn’t great, and there are some really lousy parents out there.
The government knows this. So it has a simple solution for those complex problems: require every student to take standardized tests.
But unless every child is above-average, underachieving schools will be given fewer funds. Most underachieving schools are in poor areas and, as everyone knows, the best way to break poverty’s grip is to withhold money.
So that explains the Test Section. Local teachers can now travel the majestic San Juan Skyway, admiring the local alpine beauty for which they don’t have time to enjoy.
Then they can stop at the state-designated Test Section.
Here, teachers can get out of the car, get on all fours and bang their heads repeatedly on the Test Section pavement after administering the CSAP.
In reality, the Test Section does have a connection to education. As the roadside sign says, it’s a joint research project between the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State University.
For details, we summon the usual suspect, our good friend and CDOT spokeswoman Nancy Shanks.
We caught up with Nancy as she traveled back from Leadville, where she informed Action Line that she was “taking great notice of the pavement condition in my well-used CDOT vehicle.”
Nancy said the Test Section is part of “CDOT’s endeavors to research cost-effective highway surface fixes.”
A couple of years ago, the existing asphalt at the site was recycled “using an in-place heating and remixing treatment and a new asphalt overlay placed on top,” Nancy said, after consulting with one of the department’s engineers.
The Test Section compares the performance of the recycled asphalt in three ways.
First, from one edge of highway to the other, including shoulders. Second, just the driving lanes, with only the asphalt overlay on the shoulders. And third, doing no recycling of the old asphalt at all.
Over the years, teams of researchers and students examine the cracks that have developed on the three different sections.
The project is under the supervision of Scott Shuler, Ph.D, a professional engineer and associate professor in Colroado State University’s Department of Construction Management. Dr. Shuler, by the way, is a big deal in the world of paving materials.
The good doctor frequently works with CDOT to assess best practices and improved techniques for maintaining our terrestrial infrastructure.
So did the local Test Section make the grade?
It’s too early to say because there is more testing to be done and cracks to be measured.
“When the study is complete, the results will be compiled into a report to determine what the most cost-effective treatment is,” said CDOT’s Shanks.
There’s no ETA on that report, but when it comes out, Action Line will – ahem – crack open a copy.
Which leads to our final conclusion. If someone wonders aloud if government is on crack, you can assure them that one agency, CDOT, is on crack and seeks effective treatment for crack.
If one doesn’t fix a crack problem, it spirals out of control. And we’re not talking about the mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford. We’re talking about that gigantic pothole in the Durango Post Office drive-thru lane.
Action Line was astonished by that cavern’s girth and depth. But that enormous pothole is a topic for next week.
Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if you wondered why they call it a Test Section instead of a Quiz Section.
