New Asphalt Will Keep You Safer on Rainy Days
WEST JACKSON — Many of us have been there, that scary moment when you lose control of driving in the rain. A new type of asphalt is being laid on West Tennessee roads that may decrease your chance of hydroplaning. “I’ve always been terrified because I’ve hydroplaned before and it’s a terrifying thing,” Lisa Anderson, a local driver, said. Like many drivers, Anderson says she’s weary of wet roads in West Tennessee. But Tennessee Highway Department officials say they’re working to keep your family safer in a storm. The asphalt is called Open Graded Friction Course, also known as OGFC. State workers say the new, low maintenance pavement doesn’t look much different until it rains. “If you’ve ever been behind an 18-wheeler and it just blinds you because of all the mist and as soon as you hit the OGFC it stops almost instantaneously,” Rick Knoll, the special projects coordinator for TDOT Region 4 said. Knoll says the new asphalt can be compared to a Rice Krispie treat. Rain flows through it and prevents water from standing in the road. “It goes down to that first layer we put down then sheds off to the side of the road,” Knoll said. Anderson says this will give her more confidence when she drives in the rain. “I’ll be at ease and won’t be as scared to watch the vehicle in front of me. I’ll watch them but I won’t be as scared to travel behind them.” OGFC can be found in Henry county from Service Master Drive to West Antioch Rd and in Benton county on I-40 near Birdsong Rd to Tennessee River Bridge. It can also be found on I-40 in Haywood county from Mercer Rd to the Madison county line.
