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Progress advances on the CDT Vial pilot section: a commitment to transforming rur...

Progress advances on the CDT Vial pilot section: a commitment to transforming rural roads in Cauca

The Technological Development Center for Innovation in Cauca’s Road Infrastructure (CDT Vial), a project carried out by the University of Cauca, is advancing the implementation of an experimental section that evaluates new technologies for the improvement of tertiary roads in the department.

The Technological Development Center for Innovation in Cauca’s Road Infrastructure (CDT Vial), a project carried out by the University of Cauca, is moving forward with the implementation of an experimental section that evaluates new technologies for improving tertiary roads across the department.

This pioneering initiative is being consolidated as one of the most significant milestones of the project, funded by the Sistema General de Regalías (SGR) and supported by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the Gobernación del Cauca, and strategic private-sector partners.

Since 2021, CDT Vial has promoted an innovation-driven strategy aimed at strengthening the technical and scientific capacity of rural road infrastructure, directly benefiting 37 municipalities in the department. As part of this vision, a 1-kilometer pilot section is currently under construction, located between the rural districts of San Rafael – Morinda – Santa Rosa – La Tetilla – La Meseta, in the rural area of Popayán.

What is this section for?

The test section aims to evaluate, under real-world conditions, the technical, environmental, and economic performance of non-conventional materials applied to rural roads. Its design makes it possible to analyze different pavement configurations and construction techniques in order to establish replicable models that optimize resources, reduce maintenance costs, and improve territorial road connectivity.

This development is carried out under a triple-helix cooperation approach (Academia – State – Industry), integrating university knowledge, public-sector management, and the support of companies such as Pavco Wavin, Colbitumen SAS, Bituvial SAS, and the Álvaro Vásquez quarry, alongside the executing institution, the University of Cauca.

Applied technologies

Among the inputs and methods implemented in the section are:

Geocells: three-dimensional structures for soil stabilization.
Eco-base with C&D waste: granular base produced from construction and demolition residues.
Double surface treatment with GCR: asphalt mixture modified with recycled rubber grain.
Geotextiles, SR-type signage, and metal guardrails.

These solutions were supplied or co-financed by the project’s partner organizations, enabling innovation with efficiency and sustainability.

Segmented intervention

The pilot section was divided into three segments, each with specific configurations that allow for comparison and performance analysis of the applied technologies.

To date, all three segments have shown significant progress, with activities including excavations, installation of base layers, incorporation of geocells and Eco-base with C&D waste, as well as the application of asphalt modified with recycled rubber grain (GCR). These processes have been supported by field tests using state-of-the-art equipment such as the GeoGauge and the Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD), acquired by the CDT Vial to assess soil stiffness and pavement structural capacity with high precision.

The intervention, with an estimated value of 871 million Colombian pesos, has been made possible through a collaborative model with private-sector partners, who supplied materials at production cost or as technical donations, optimizing overall costs without compromising quality.

This test section not only represents a physical solution to rural connectivity needs, but is also being consolidated as a living laboratory of applied knowledge. Its results will be key to informing decision-making in road infrastructure at both the departmental and national levels. Through this pilot, the CDT Vial seeks to:

Validate innovative construction methodologies.
Optimize the use of materials available within the territory.
Reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Minimize the environmental impact of road works.
Contribute to the formulation of technical guidelines in coordination with entities such as INVÍAS.

This development represents a firm step toward closing connectivity gaps in Cauca’s rural areas, supported by scientific backing, sustainability, and institutional commitment.