Foamed Bitumen Stabilisation in Queensland

Queensland's climate puts pavements under sustained pressure: cyclone-driven rain, tropical
flooding, and extreme heat cycles accelerate deterioration faster than
traditional granular bases can handle. Hiway's foamed bitumen stabilisation in
Queensland delivers a durable, low-carbon alternative, recycling existing
pavement materials in place or through a central plant to produce a strong,
moisture-resistant base that outperforms conventional construction.

Two Methods, One QLD-Proven Approach

Hiway operates both in-situ and plant-mixed foamed bitumen processes across
Queensland, designed and constructed to current TMR specifications:

Foamed Bitumen Recycling (FBR), in-situ: The
existing pavement is recycled on-site using purpose-built stabilisers,
producing a flexible, moisture-resilient base layer. Work proceeds under TMR
spec MRTS07C (In-situ Stabilised Pavements using Foamed Bitumen). Road sections
can be trafficked almost immediately, minimising disruption on live networks.

Plant-Mixed Foamed Bitumen (PMFB):
Pavement materials are processed through a dedicated mixing plant, offering
longer working windows and tighter quality control for high-volume or complex
QLD projects. PMFB work is delivered under TMR spec MRTS09 (Plant-Mixed Foamed
Bitumen Stabilised Pavements). Hiway pioneered an extended-stockpile PMFB
process with TMR, allowing material to remain usable for up to 28 days.

Both methods conserve aggregate, reduce haulage, and cut carbon compared to
full-depth asphalt.

Proven on Queensland Roads

At the Walkerston Bypass near Mackay, Hiway
delivered a hybrid in-situ and ex-situ foamed bitumen solution across a 10.4 km
greenfield highway corridor. The site weathered two cyclones during a
compressed construction programme, validating foamed bitumen's resilience in
the most demanding QLD conditions.

Why QLD Projects Choose Hiway

Hiway is the only specialist stabilisation contractor in Australasia providing comprehensive
in-house pavement design and construction management from inception to
completion. The Queensland team operates from Josephville, QLD (503 Sandy Creek
Rd, Josephville QLD 4285), led by General Manager QLD Jan Weinert. Hiway holds
AustStab membership, supporting its commitment to industry best practice in
foamed bitumen design and delivery.

Hiway has delivered over 250,000 m² of foamed bitumen works across QLD, including
projects in Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, and Cairns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is foamed bitumen stabilisation and how
does it work?

Foamed bitumen is created by injecting a small quantity of water into hot
bitumen at 170-190°C, causing it to expand and coat aggregate particles. When
mixed into existing pavement materials, it creates a strong, flexible base
layer resistant to moisture and heavy loads.

Which TMR specifications apply to foamed
bitumen work in Queensland?

TMR uses MRTS07C for in-situ foamed bitumen stabilisation (FBR) and MRTS09 for plant-mixed
foamed bitumen stabilised pavements (PMFB). Hiway designs and constructs to
both specifications on QLD projects.

What is the difference between FBR and PMFB?

FBR is an in-situ process where the existing road pavement is recycled on-site.
PMFB involves processing materials through a central mixing plant before
laying, offering greater mix consistency and extended stockpile periods suited
to larger or staged QLD programs.

Is foamed bitumen stabilisation suitable for
flood-prone Queensland roads?

Yes. Foamed bitumen pavements demonstrate significantly improved resistance to
moisture and have remained intact following major flood events across QLD. The
Walkerston Bypass project confirmed the method's resilience during two cyclone
events during construction.

Talk to Hiway's Queensland Team

Ready to assess your QLD project? Our Josephville-based team, led by GM QLD Jan Weinert, provides
in-house pavement design and foamed bitumen stabilisation across Queensland. Contact
us at hiway.au/contact or visit us at 503 Sandy Creek Rd, Josephville QLD 4285.