Scituate Road Project Saves Taxpayers $250,000 Through Recycling

One of the best examples of sustainability in action doesn't happen in a recycling bin—it happens right on our roads.

This summer, the Scituate Department of Public Works completed improvements to 2.36 miles of Old Plainfield Pike, from the Foster town line to Route 12, using an innovative Hot In-Place Recycling process rather than conventional road reconstruction.

Instead of milling up the existing pavement, hauling it away, and replacing it with entirely new asphalt, the Hot In-Place Recycling process reheats and rejuvenates much of the existing roadway. The recycled pavement is then topped with a durable 3/8-inch rubber chip seal wearing surface, extending the life of the road while using significantly fewer new materials.

The financial impact is substantial.

A conventional mill-and-fill project was estimated to cost approximately $660,000—more than half of Scituate's road capital budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. By choosing Hot In-Place Recycling, DPW Director Steve Mattscheck reduced the project cost to $410,000, saving taxpayers $250,000. Those savings can now be redirected toward repairing four additional roads this year.

This project is an excellent reminder that sustainability is not simply about protecting the environment—it's also about making smarter use of public resources. Recycling existing pavement reduced the need for new raw materials, minimized hauling and disposal, lowered construction costs, and allowed the Town to improve more roads with the same budget.

The Scituate Sustainability Committee congratulates Director Mattscheck and the entire DPW team for finding an innovative solution that benefits both taxpayers and the environment.