Spain's Valencian Region Introduces Noise-Reducing Bitumen Mixture Asphalt on the CV-35

WPB states that the government of the Valencian region in Spain has embarked on a massive resurfacing exercise of the CV-35 highway, combining infrastructure renovation with environmental issues. The project involves the application of specially designed asphalt concrete reinforced with bitumen and organic fibers, not just to reinforce the road surface but also to serve as a sound absorber and reduce traffic impacts on local populations.

At the heart of this program is the use of permeable asphalt with increased bitumen content, which tightens the binding of the aggregates and increases the resistance of the road. The mixture is also reinforced with cellulose pellets of high quality made from plants, which serve as vegetal fibers to disperse the vibrations and muffle the sound emission. By reducing the amplitude of tire–pavement contact noise, the material provides technical resistance and eco-respite. This policy encourages asphalt and bitumen from being simple construction materials to being high-tech tools of sustainable urban governance.

CV-35, a main artery between Valencia and neighboring municipalities, sees more than one hundred thousand vehicles daily. For several years, it has generated incredible acoustic pressure on nearby residential areas, particularly within the municipality of Burjassot. The use of noise-absorbing asphalt addresses this problem head-on with the aim of promoting safer, quieter, and more pleasant travel conditions for residents and drivers alike.

The project covers a section of the highway as well as adjacent ramps and interchanges. About 25,000 tons of SMA-8 asphalt mixture are being utilized, chosen for its ability to deliver structural strength as well as minimizing the environmental impact of constant traffic. Accompanying works such as repainting of lane markings and safety feature upgrade also modernize the corridor and keep it in accordance with contemporary standards of highway engineering.

Expanding, this initiative illustrates the way in which Spain is embedding sustainability into policy for infrastructure. Resurfacing roads, once addressed mainly as a maintenance need, increasingly is being reconsidered as an environmental innovation platform. By adopting asphalt mixes that reduce noise emissions, Valencian authorities demonstrate an eagerness to balance mobility, security, and ecological wellness.

Bitumen is central to this revolution. In addition to its established function as a binder, its ability to enclose aggregates and synergistically interact with cellulose fibers shows its versatility for today's engineering goals. Bitumen functions in conjunction here to supply the structural strength of the CV-35 as well as its acoustic buffering role.

Ultimately, the CV-35 project in Spain's Valencian countryside is more than a run-of-the-mill road improvement. It is an example of how highway construction can evolve to address urban requirements, reduce environmental impact, and improve the quality of daily life for local citizens. By incorporating sound-absorbing properties into the very structure of asphalt, CV-35 reimagines the future of road building as one that juxtaposes longevity, sustainability, and habitability.

By Bitumenmag

Bitumen, Asphalt, Road, Pavement