The Ohio Inspector General issued a report on Tuesday regarding an investigation into a complaint from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Officials said, similar to an investigation completed in 2015, a former employee of a privately-owned asphalt plant in western Ohio alleged the plant where he worked provided substandard asphalt used for paving state roadways. The complainant declined to be interviewed by investigators.
An analysis of the purchase and delivery records obtained by an inspector general subpoena, officials reported, indicated the asphalt plant received more than the necessary quantity of asphalt binder containing the specified polymer additive to complete the state paving projects.
While the evidence gathered did not support the allegation regarding subpar asphalt, officials said the inspector general recommended the Ohio Department of Transportation assign additional personnel for unannounced inspections of asphalt plants actively supplying materials for state roadway paving projects.
