Salina is home to some of the largest coal mines in Utah. They're located on a steep, mountainous site with no nearby rail access, so coal must be transported by truck through the city's downtown business district. Not only do the city’s roads experience significant wear, but mine traffic depends on navigating the roads 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

When U.S. 89 / State Street needed repair in 2018, traffic management was the biggest challenge. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) specified rapid-setting hydraulic cement concrete to achieve long-lasting repairs with a quick turnaround time.

Cool temperatures of 50 degrees to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during construction optimized the workability of the Rapid Set® Cement and permitted ample finishing time. Eighty-one tons of Rapid Set were used. The product was mixed in a volumetric mixer, finished with a roller screed to achieve a longitudinal texture, and cured with poly-alpha-methylstyrene (PAMS) curing compound.

UDOT used several methods of communicating with the public. The local radio station and local newspaper in Salina alerted drivers of upcoming closures. UDOT's Public Involvement Team went to the local mines and informed management and truck drivers of the upcoming construction so that each company could plan accordingly.

Repairs made with Rapid Set® Cement can reach structural strength in as little as 1 hour and are cured for at least 1 hour, much less time than required for portland cement-based repair material. Because Rapid Set® allowed short closure times, minimizing the project’s impact on mine business and the traveling public, UDOT Region 4 was extremely happy with the State Street project. Rapid Set's reliable performance is also a benefit. Even though materials suppliers can be limited in rural, rugged regions such as Salina, Rapid Set offers UDOT a fast, durable repair solution.