en.Wedoany.com Reported - SAMI Bitumen Technologies' sustainable binder solution, SAMIGreen, has been applied to one of Victoria's largest transport infrastructure projects—the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP). This project is a key component of the Melbourne metropolitan area's transport network upgrade, aimed at improving travel efficiency for commuters and motorists.
The Diggers Rest level crossing removal project, part of the LXRP, eliminated two level crossings at Old Calder Highway and Watsons Road, constructing two new overpass road bridges. The core objective is to achieve zero level crossings on the Sunbury line to enhance safety and traffic capacity. The existing level crossings handle approximately 8,000 vehicles daily, with 27 train passages during the morning peak, causing vehicle delays of up to 36 minutes. New bridges, road realignments, and subsequent landscaping aim to eliminate these bottlenecks, with the LXRP Western Program Alliance (WPA) overseeing construction.
The WPA is one of the original alliances established for the project, covering major metropolitan areas across the state. The Watsons Road project imposed strict requirements for using low-carbon asphalt solutions. The winning contractor, Boral, worked closely with the WPA to find solutions that met standards while supporting environmental goals. Lachlan Walker, WPA Project Sustainability Manager, noted that asphalt accounts for approximately 12% of upfront material carbon emissions in infrastructure projects, and the client set carbon reduction targets of 20% to 35%, making this initiative a key opportunity to lower carbon emissions.
While the project team evaluated different low-carbon asphalt options, SAMI Bitumen Technologies held a webinar introducing the advantages and performance characteristics of its flagship low-carbon binder, SAMIGreen. Marc Boswell, Boral Technical Manager, stated that SAMI is a major supplier of polymer-modified bitumen in Victoria and across Australia, and the existing partnership made SAMIGreen the most viable choice. The primary consideration for selecting SAMIGreen was the transparency and accuracy provided by its Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which details the product's bio-based content that reduces the carbon footprint, with a lifecycle carbon footprint significantly lower than traditional petroleum-based binders.
Boswell noted that having detailed data made internal communication more efficient. Walker agreed, emphasizing that independent verification of submitted data was crucial, with the process being rigorous and respected within the industry. Brad Richards, Southern Regional Manager at SAMI Bitumen Technologies, stated that SAMIGreen is not the only SAMI product with comprehensive EPD documentation; all binders have Environmental Product Declarations clearly showing carbon savings.
In terms of design specifications, SAMIGreen replaced traditional 10E/PMB binder on selected sections of Watsons Road, achieving up to 63% carbon reduction at the binder level and approximately 36% "cradle-to-gate" carbon reduction at the asphalt mix level. Construction performance was another key indicator. Boswell mentioned that SAMIGreen performed identically to traditional products during production, transport, and paving compaction at the Boral asphalt plant, passing the "smell test" with no reports of odor or operational differences from construction crews.
The WPA was impressed with the project results. Walker stated that as part of normalizing such requirements in large-scale infrastructure projects, future designs will consider bio-based alternatives whenever A10E bio-based binder is specified. Boswell emphasized that the project's success relied on the client's proactive willingness to seek sustainable alternatives. Richards added that SAMI Bitumen Technologies not only works closely with clients but also with their clients' clients, participating in solution design to build confidence throughout the process.
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