ARRA Hosts the 2025 Pavement Recycling Summit in Music City

Building Sustainable Roads, One Summit at a Time

The Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association (ARRA) brought the spirit of innovation to Franklin, Tennessee, this October, as more than 180 pavement professionals gathered for the 2025 Pavement Recycling Summit. From October 20-23, industry leaders, agency representatives, contractors, suppliers, and researchers from across North America came together to advance the shared mission of building more sustainable, resilient roadways.

The four-day event blended education, collaboration, and southern hospitality in equal measure, offering attendees a chance to exchange ideas, explore new technologies, and strengthen partnerships shaping the future of pavement recycling.

A Warm Welcome to Tennessee

The week began on Monday with the ARRA Board of Directors Meeting and exhibitor setup, culminating in an Exhibitor Welcome Reception that set an upbeat tone for the days ahead.

Tuesday opened with a true Tennessee welcome and a packed lineup of general sessions highlighting the latest in regional and national pavement recycling efforts.

Session highlights included:

• In-place Recycling in Tennessee – Matthew Chandler shared insights into the state’s evolving practices.
• HIR Work in the State of Tennessee – Aaron Hansen detailed innovative hot in-place recycling applications.
• CIR Considerations for Single and Multi-Unit Recycling Trains – Stephanie Drain examined design and operational efficiencies.
• Tennessee Counties Near 1 Million Square Yards in FDR – Bart Walls, P.E., showcased impressive full-depth reclamation adoption.
• Success Stories of FDR and Cement Treated Base at TN Airports – Christopher Starr, Ph.D., P.E., presented case studies demonstrating enhanced performance in aviation infrastructure.

The afternoon featured an engaging Agency Roundtable and ARRA Business Meeting, followed by technical sessions addressing national best practices. Highlights included:

• The American State of the Practice for Full Depth Reclamation – presented by Eshan Dave
• The Rules: An Update on ARRA’s LCA and PCR Process – led by ARRA Technical Advisor, Dr. Ben Bowers

The day concluded on a high note with a networking dinner at Assembly Food Hall in nearby Nashville, where attendees enjoyed lively conversation, local flavors, and live music in true Music City style.

Research, Results, and Real-World Applications

Wednesday’s program dove deep into applied research and field performance, featuring presentations that bridged laboratory insights with real-world outcomes.

Morning sessions included:

• Development of AASHTO TP146 and TP147 Field Tests – Dave Jones and Brian Diefenderfer explored testing innovations for cold recycled pavements.
• In-place Recycling Findings from MnROAD Research – Benjamin Worel shared Minnesota’s latest performance data.
• Cold In-Place Recycling for Iowa’s Highways – Ashley Buss presented successful CIR applications across Iowa.
• Paver-Laid FDR: VDOT Experiences – Elizabeth Turochy discussed Virginia’s implementation approach.
• Standardized Mix Design and QC Procedures for Cold Recycling – Dave Jones offered practical guidance on ensuring consistency and quality.

Afternoon sessions turned the spotlight on regional advancements and high-traffic applications, with discussions such as:

• Soil-Cement Across the Southeast by Hayden Bilyeu
• MassDOT’s Experience with HIR on I-90 by Cody Holemo
• High Traffic Volume Applications of Pavement Recycling in Virginia by Brian Diefenderfer

The day wrapped up with a relaxed Cocktail Reception, providing another opportunity for attendees to exchange insights and continue building relationships that drive the industry forward.

Looking Ahead: Innovation and Collaboration

Thursday focused on ARRA Committee Meetings, including Marketing & Membership, Cold Planing, HIR, CIR, and FDR/SS, ensuring every member had an opportunity to contribute to ARRA’s strategic direction and future initiatives.

Meanwhile, the exhibit hall remained a hub of activity throughout the week. Cutting-edge equipment, emerging technologies, and hands-on demonstrations gave participants an up-close look at the tools driving greater efficiency, cost savings, and environmental benefits in pavement management.

ARRA extends heartfelt thanks to the sponsors whose generous support made the 2025 Pavement Recycling Summit possible:

• Room Key Sponsor:

– Astec Industries

• Mobile App Sponsor:

– Bergkamp Inc.

• Lanyard Sponsor:

– Wirtgen America Inc.

• Notebook Sponsor:

– Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Inc.

• Water Bottle Sponsor:

  – Southeast Cement Promotion Association

• Wi-Fi Sponsor:

– BOMAG Americas Inc.

• Break Sponsors:

– Caterpillar

– Road Worx Inc.

• General Sponsors:

– Asphalt Materials, Inc.

– Evergreen Roadworks

– Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming

– Ingevity

– Nouryon

– Paragon Technical Services, Inc.

As the week concluded, attendees were left energized by new knowledge, stronger connections, and a shared commitment to progress.

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Pavement Recycling Summit, set for October 19–22 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the conversation will continue, the technology will advance, and the industry’s future will take another bold step forward.