Paving Delaware's Future

BY CHRIS BAKER

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING along State Route 1 (SR 1) in the Dover area, you may notice Dover Motor Speedway, Dover Air Force Base, or the St. Jones River. However, you might overlook an important part of lower Delaware’s industrial sector near the Air Force base. Tri-County Materials LLC (TCM) is nestled among ponds created by decades of sand mining and the Eagle Creek Golf Course. The plant is situated on 12 acres of industrial-zoned land, repurposed as a brownfield site after its previous use as a municipal dump in a prior generation.

TCM has been operating for 10 years, following a partnership between George & Lynch Inc. and Diamond Materials LLC, who worked together to design and construct the facility. Tri-County Materials produces hot mix asphalt (HMA), which is used at the airfield, Delaware roadways, city streets, and local parking lots.

TCM supplies materials to over 100 customers, including competitors in the highway industry and individual clients. The volume of HMA produced each year can exceed 200,000 tons, equivalent to 10,000 truckloads—both of raw materials delivered to and finished mixes leaving the plant. The work to receive, produce, dispatch, and maintain the facility is managed by a small, skilled staff.

Raw materials consist mostly of virgin aggregates quarried in Maryland or Pennsylvania. Delaware has no aggregate quarries, making these imported goods essential. A small quantity of sand from a local producer is used in the mixes, while liquid asphalt binder is sourced from various regional refineries. Perhaps the most important component is the recycled asphalt product (RAP), which comes from removing or grinding existing HMA surfaces. RAP contains the aggregates and residual asphalt from previously placed HMA, making it infinitely recyclable and reducing the cost and environmental impact of importing virgin materials.

In addition to recycling HMA, TCM also recycles broken concrete from the local area. The concrete is crushed to meet the gradation specifications for use in Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) roads and other projects that need an aggregate base course. These recycled products are stockpiled along with smaller quantities of virgin aggregates for reuse.

While this work may seem dirty and unsophisticated, the production of HMA—especially for state or federally funded projects—is highly regulated. TCM has an on-site lab for testing compliance with those regulations. The plant is also equipped with environmental controls to capture the dust generated during the handling of aggregates. These controls are further regulated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to verify that emissions remain within acceptable limits.

Tri-County Materials LLC plays a vital role in Delaware’s economy, particularly for businesses in Kent County. As a leading supplier of hot mix asphalt and recycled materials, TCM supports infrastructure projects essential to the state’s economic growth. By providing high-quality materials for roads, highways, and public spaces, TCM ensures that local businesses and residents benefit from improved transportation and infrastructure.

George & Lynch Inc. has served the heavy civil sector Delaware’s construction industry for more than 100 years, and Tri-County Materials LLC’s products and services will remain integral to both the local construction sector and the broader business community in Delaware.

Chris Baker is president & CEO of George & Lynch.