The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) recently detailed some of its projects relating to sustainability and environmental consciousness.
ARTBA said approximately 100 million tons of asphalt is recycled by the construction industry on average, and that approximately 15 million tons of fly-ash is saved from landfills annually.
The association also detailed specific ongoing projects that include a restoration of arch bridges in Andover, Massachusetts, that includes the utilization of tree-trunk and root systems to protect the bank from erosion and support a natural habitat for local species. In addition, a bridge-replacement project in Dayton, Ohio, widened sidewalks and upgraded a bike lane.
ARTBA said that since 1970, emissions from vehicles have declined significantly, with carbon-dioxide emissions falling by approximately 38 percent and carbon monoxide falling by 62 percent.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the Diesel Emission Reduction Act has had a beneficial effect on public health by removing 335,200 tons of nitrogen oxides and 14,700 tons of particulate matter from the atmosphere. Government statistics indicate that the U.S. construction industry, which includes the transportation sector, accounts for less than 2 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.
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