Arizona Utilizes Recycled Glass Foam for I-17 Widening Project
In 2024, engineers in Arizona implemented an innovative construction method for the Interstate 17 widening project north of Phoenix, using tens of thousands of tons of crushed recycled glass in the form of ultra-lightweight foam glass aggregate. This material was deployed at 19 locations along a 23-mile stretch of the highway. The primary purpose of the foam glass was to provide a lightweight structural fill, enabling existing drainage culverts, originally designed for a two-lane highway, to support the additional weight of new traffic lanes without requiring costly demolition and rebuilding. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), this marks the first instance of foam glass aggregate being used in a state infrastructure project. Laura Douglas, an ADOT Communications representative, highlighted that the material was chosen for its high compressive strength, low weight, and environmental benefits. 
