InfraStructures - October 2007 - Winnipeg Seals Its Success!

Winnipeg Seals Its Success!

Rob Holden

The gateway to the west, like any other Canadian city faces the challenges of maintaining its infrastructure through any and all that Mother Nature may throw at it. Well known for freezing temperatures, Winnipeg also has to cope with stifling heat and overflowing river waters. Each would stress roadways immensely; together they represent potential meltdown for a municipality, which is key to the transportation of goods and services across Canada.

So what can be done to avert critical infrastructure deterioration and premature failure in such conditions? Well, good planning and preventative maintenance are the answer, and Winnipeg is one of the best examples to be found in Canada, and crack sealing is one of their secrets.

Many years ago planners and engineers realized the benefits of crack sealing to roadway longevity and have been busy ever since. What they needed was a reliable and cost effective method of ensuring they got the full-engineered lifecycle, and then some, out of their driving surfaces. At 1/6th the cost of conventional pavement rehabilitation methods and with better long-term benefits than thin overlays, micro paving, or slurry seals, crack sealing became a cornerstone to Winnipeg's Roads Maintenance Plan.

With a history of success behind it, Winnipeg's commitment to crack sealing was secured. Experienced crews, an established plan and the right equipment have all contributed to the accomplishment of ensuring that Winnipeg's ratepayers receive value for money from their roadway dollar. In order to perpetuate this success, recently the city sought to replace some of their aging melter fleet with more state-of-the-art machines.

An eye for value, and a realization that quality and durability would be important to a lengthy service life, Winnipeg chose the Cimline 230 Magma Series hot rubberized asphalt melter/applicator. The value being represented by many of the innovative and well engineered features of the Magma Series machine, such as the heavy duty tubular steel frame and heavy gauge, insulated oil jacket.

Durability was not the only benefit this machine offers, with a 290 000 BTU diesel fired burner, ceramic combustion chamber and 95% heating efficiency result in rapid heat-up times. This, combined with IMR (Internal Material Re-circulation), obround high performance agitator, and heavy duty material pump means crews have faster turn around times and higher production capabilities than they ever had before.

Safety and serviceability also needed to meet the demands of seasoned crews, engineers and maintainers, and Cimline Magma does not disappoint. An industry leading loading height of 1219 mm (48"), low center of gravity, and excellent overall visibility make the Cimline 230 safer and less stressful to operate than conventional machines. Gull-wing, fully insulated engine cowlings and a spacious heat cabinet to protect the pump, hose and other tools make service and repair convenient and straightforward. Fully digital temperature controls, and engine monitoring system (LOFA) add to the ability to operate and diagnose the performance of the machine. With on-site factory training, local parts and service support and an Extended Warranty Plan, the Cimline 230 Magma represents the best value in crack sealing technology the city could buy.

Congratulations to the City of Winnipeg for choosing to set an example to all municipalities on the importance of infrastructure maintenance, and to set a new standard for what piece of equipment to see that the job gets done!