Current and Past Construction Reports and Research
2010 Construction
Three new test cells were constructed on the Mainline to investigate the design, construction, and performance aspects of composite pavements. Construction began in mid-April and was completed by the end of May. 
2008 Construction
Reconstruction began in April 2008 and was completed in November. Over 20 test cells were either reconstructed or rehabilitated with asphalt or concrete surfacing. MnROAD staff installed over 1400 sensors in the various pavement layers during construction.
2007 Construction
MnROAD reconstruction on the Low Volume Road in 2007 included fly ash stabilized full depth reclamation, polyphosphoric acid modified asphalt, and two new cells to evaluate the impact of implements of husbandry vehicles on low volume roadways.
Two Cells on the mainline were diamond ground with an innovative grind for quiet pavements
2006 Construction
In 2006 Cell 1, 27, and 28 were reconstructed by MnROAD. There were three significant aspects of research behind the test cell reconstruction: field validation of Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain (GCBD) for limiting moisture changes in pavements, Intelligent Compaction (IC) research performed on the unbound base and subgrade layers, and accelerated testing of PG 52-34 binder to support a Local Road Research Board (LRRB) project. These reports document the previous pavement condition, pavement structural and mixture designs, instrumentation plan, field construction activities, material sampling, and laboratory test results.
Pervious concrete helps to divert polluted and excess water from local water sources. In 2006 MnROAD and its partners collaborated on a pervious concrete sidewalk project to help study how to effectively use pervious concrete to best limit negative environmental factors.
2005 Construction
In 2005, MnROAD continued to study the effectiveness of pervious concrete in its test cells. MnROAD was researching the pervious concrete's inherent sustainability during the varying environmental factors that come with each season especially safety during the winter seasons.
2004 Construction
2004 marked several different construction and research projects for MnROAD. Cells 60- 63 were constructed using whitetopping technique to replace earlier whitetopping cells constructed in 1997. The report below contains the relevant information about the reconstruction and the data attained through the seven years research.
Mesabi Hard Rock aggregate began to be tested during 2004 resulting in several reports and studies. The purpose of the research was to see the utilization possibility of a new and Minnesota based resource.
Cell 26 was reconstructed to replace a test cell that had failed prematurely.
2000 Construction
Several DOT's from around the US have considered the use of thermoplastic piping to inlay within pavement. This report describes the development and implementation of field tests conducted for this project, extends the findings of the field tests, and makes recommendations for design and installation of thermoplastic pipe under shallow cover and highway live loads.
The purpose of the report below is to document the forensic investigation and to record observations and conclusions as to the construction, historical performance and subsequent deterioration of Cell 26
This report describes the results for physical characteristics of new PCC test cells 32, 52, and 53. The report also summarizes the results of various material tests performed during and immediately following the construction of the test cells.
1999 Construction
This paper's purpose is to provide an update on the pavement condition of MnROAD's three low volume road (LVR) SuperPave test cells constructed in 1999 with different asphalt binders. These cells were built to field validate the current low temperature performance grading (PG) system currently being used at MnDOT and many other agencies around the world.
1997 Construction
This report presents the results of the research project to investigate the design and performance of thin and ultra-thin whitetopping.
- The Construction of US-169 and I-94 Experimental Thin and Ultra- thin Whitetopping Sections in Minnesota
1996 Construction
This report focuses on the second construction phase of the Minnesota Road Research facility (MnROAD) and evaluates three typical, locally available, surfacing aggregates along with a rollover section from the initial phase for performance.
1990- 1993 Construction
These are initial reports released by MnROAD during its original construction.
