Cold In-Place Recycling

Find a Contractor/Supplier

For Pavement Condition

C D F
(PCI of 70 or less)


A cost-effective, long-lasting, greener alternative to conventional maintenance and rehabilitation techniques. Cold In-place recycling (CIR) is a process that cold mills and recycles the top 2-5 inches of asphalt using a continuous train operation. Through the complete reuse of existing material, CIR greatly reduces trucking, time and natural resources to significantly lower project costs. Generally, any road that is a candidate for mill & fill is a candidate for CIR.


  1. 20%–50% less expensive than conventional maintenance and reconstruction methods
  2. Reduces greenhouse emissions by up to 90%
  3. Reuses 100% of existing materials
  4. 20%–40% faster construction times
  5. Adds 15–20 years (combined with appropriate wearing course)
  6. Most agencies use Structural Layer (a) Coefficients between 0.30–0.38 (Recent research indicates values from 0.36–0.44 may be more appropriate)

Issues Addressed

  • Frequent, severe, non-load distresses in top lift of hot mix
  • All distresses within the recycling depth (2-5 inches)
  • Reflective cracking from below CIR layer

Attributes

  • Eliminates defects within the recycling depth
  • Blocks or slows reflective cracking
  • Reuses existing material in place
  • Replaces 1 or 2 lifts of hot mix
  • Allows for road widening where desired

Common Combinations

  • CIR + hot mix overlay (most common)
  • CIR + Single or Double Chip Seal
  • CIR + Micro or Slurry Surfacing
  • CIR + CCPR to increase treatment depth