Politics & Government

Route 141 Pavement Test Reportedly Bewilders Researchers

According to West News Magazine, researchers are "baffled" by air quality results from an experimental section of Route 141.

The article explains that a 1,500-foot stretch of the road, south of Olive Boulevard, is actually an experiment. It was reportedly topped with a 2-inch layer of concrete mixed with titanium dioxide which would ultimately improve air quality in that area.

West News stated that the Route 141 pavement experiment added $130,000 to the cost of the project and is believed to be the first U.S. location for testing such a smog-alleviating concept. 

Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Find out what's happening in Town And Country-Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Now, researchers are trying to determine what caused such a drastic change in results. In the article, researchers said they found a thin layer of calcium carbonate in the test area which is a surprise since that has not been a problem in Europe where titanium dioxide has been used on roads for years.

Researchers are working with the Missouri Department of Transportation as they continue to investigate the issue and monitor the experiment, according to West News.


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