Breakdown of Recycled Material

It is, in fact, all about the breakdown! 

There are a variety of materials that we use during the construction of Hillside that are re-used from local sources. The most evident materials onsite are granite and concrete from the 95 bridge just a few miles away. From retaining walls to roadbase and drainage material, these rocks are certainly living a new life! But just how is it done? 

Whittier bridge built in 1951, Replaced in 2018 by 2 new bridges

Well, pieces of granite and concrete are received by the truckload from the 95 bridge deconstruction team. They can come in all shapes and sizes - some pieces are large, and in good condition, while others are small and broken. All the material is sorted and organized for later use. The large pieces of granite will be used as bases for the retaining walls, while the smaller pieces will be used as filler blocks in the walls. All of the concrete is crushed by the Linkbelt crusher (below, left) for use as road base and solid building base because it compacts well. As seen in the right image below, the crusher can break down large concrete pieces into 6 inches and smaller. 

Along with the granite and concrete, the truckloads from the bridge often have pieces of rebar scattered throughout. The metal is picked out and recycled. We have already received over 100 truckloads - a lot of sorting, picking, crushing, and recycling!

Northeast terrace construction - the top of this grade is the North end of Hillside Ave. These recycled concrete blocks are from the old Whittier Bridge, big thanks to the NBPT Highway Department!