Road Test: Florida’s pilot project using PG is officially underway
The Latest: Construction is now underway on a phosphogypsum (PG) pilot road project. Located on private land near Mulberry, the 3,200-foot test road is a major step forward in exploring safe, productive uses for phosphate byproducts, and Florida is leading the way.
Why it matters: The pilot road uses about 1,200 tons of PG, blended with materials like lime rock, crushed concrete, and asphalt millings. Four test segments contain a 50/50 PG mix; four control segments contain no PG. Each section will be paved with asphalt and monitored over an 18-month study period.
Source: University of Florida
Real-world testing begins: "The idea is, we can take phosphogypsum, integrate it with other materials, and make a nice strong base that allows traffic to go over that, support the pavement, and serve as a functional structure for a long time in the future,” said Dr. Tim Townsend, Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Florida.
Built to monitor and learn: (Each road segment is equipped with environmental monitoring tools, including groundwater wells and water-capture systems beneath the PG base layers. These will help researchers track real-world conditions as the test road is used and weathered.
Catch up quick:
May 2023: Florida lawmakers direct the state Department of Transportation to study PG road potential.
- April 2024: FDOT finds PG could meet standards, recommends field tests.
- December 2024: EPA gives final green light for pilot construction.
- October 2025: Construction begins; monitoring phase starts soon.
What’s next: Trucks are expected to begin using the road by year’s end. The results from this pilot project will inform future decisions about PG use in infrastructure, potentially turning a long-stored byproduct into a strategic material for building the infrastructure of tomorrow.
