2021 Archive : US Route 385

Project Details

Fabric 1

Tensar InterAx NX850 Geogrid
Producer/Manufacturer: Tensar International Corp.
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Engineer Company 1
Nebraska DOT

Fabrication Name
Tensar InterAx NX850 Geogrid

Fabrication Company
Tensar International

Subcontractor Name
General Contractor

Subcontractor Company
IHC Scott

Installation Name
Geogrid Installation

Installation Company
Paul Reed Construction & Supply, Inc.

Please describe the project specifications

US Route 385 near Angora, Nebraska was being widened to a two-lane, divided highway, and there were several areas where challenging subgrade conditions were encountered. The native subgrade consisted of a soft, silty clay and a high water table, making construction of the road using traditional methods impossible. Because of the location of the project, importing granular fill was expensive. The InterAx NX850 geogrid was used in conjunction with onsite borrow material, a clean sand fill, to stabilize the soft subgrade and build up the roadway embankment. Using the onsite material not only saved substantial money and kept the project on schedule, but also reduced carbon emissions due to reduced dump truck volume compared to importing granular material.

What is unique or complex about the project?

Nebraska Department of Transportation was searching for innovative solutions that would minimize the added project cost of remediating the soft soils while providing the long-term performance of the new roadway that they expect. The Contractor needed a solution that they could trust would work the first time and keep the project moving.

The extremely soft, saturated subgrade and desire to utilize onsite borrow material provided the opportunity for InterAx NX850 geogrid, a high performance geogrid specifically designed to accommodate a broader range of aggregate fill, to provide value to all stakeholders.

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