Mills Construction Accelerates Project, Transforming an Aging Asphalt Site in Austin
BY Jordan Fontaine
Mills Construction recycles at Texas asphalt site
Mills Construction has undertaken a major cleanup project focused on reclaiming and processing recycled asphalt from an old asphalt plant site in Austin, Texas. Leading the operation was Steven Muse, site operations manager, who oversaw the daily workflow, production goals, and equipment performance onsite. The mission was to crush and transform the existing recycled asphalt into a clean, uniform material that is being resold and reused across the region into March 2026.
The Cedarapids CRH1111R proved to be exceptionally capable in producing clean and consistent 1-inch minus product, which was exactly the size the team was targeting. Here the product comes off the MGL 836 stacking conveyor.
Closing a Plant, Sizing the Product
To accomplish this, Mills Construction rented a Cedarapids CRH1111R, a portable closed-circuit plant known for its impact crushing power and screening capabilities. They also used their MGL 836 stacking conveyor. Both pieces of equipment were sourced through Powerscreen Texas. The combination allowed the company to streamline the process of turning weathered, inconsistent material into something refined, usable and sought after.
They were working at the Texas Materials South Plant on Bolm Rd., which has been shut down now. Typically, recycled asphalt comes in with oversized chunks that are difficult to reuse in their initial form. However, once fed into the Cedarapids CRH1111R, the transformation is dramatic. According to Muse, the material went through the machine efficiently and emerged as a clean, consistent 1-inch minus product, which was exactly the size the team was targeting.
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Muse shared that “the CRH1111R chews up the material pretty good,” emphasizing how effective the machine was at breaking down even the toughest recycled asphalt chunks. From the first weeks of operation, the team noticed that the output was not only consistent but also ready for sale immediately upon discharge.
“We are very pleased with the high production rates we are seeing with the CRH1111R,” he noted. The machine’s integrated screen and recirculation system ensured that the final material was uniform, clean and ready for distribution to customers who needed asphalt for driveways, country roads and small construction jobs in the region.
Workers fed RAP of various sizes into the Cedarapids CRH1111R for processing.
Timeline Changes
When Mills Construction originally estimated this cleanup project, they projected a longer timeline than actual. However, just two and a half months into the job, the team found themselves ahead of schedule.
A spokesperson shared: “We started crushing in January 2025 and completed crushing in June 2025. We will be selling material through March 2026.”
The speed and consistency of the CRH1111R played a major role in accelerating their progress, reducing the expected duration of the entire operation.
Best Practices for Crushing, Screening RAP for HMA Production
The ability to complete the work months earlier than anticipated not only saved time but also reduced costs and opened the door for Mills Construction to take on additional projects sooner than expected.
For Muse and his crew, the increased production is one of the most valuable benefits the Cedarapids plant has delivered.
The plant features a large 5-foot x 16-foot, two-deck inclined screen for precise separation and sizing of material. The integrated recirculating conveyor is designed to maximize screening capacity, thus allowing the machine to deliver a more consistent finished product without requiring additional handling.
Getting Production and Support
Several features of the CRH1111R have stood out to Muse and his team during this project. The machine’s strong impact crushing capabilities gave it the ability to break down recycled asphalt effectively, while the large 5-foot x 16-foot, two-deck inclined screen ensured precise separation and sizing of the material. The integrated recirculating conveyor maximized screening capacity, allowing the machine to deliver a more consistent finished product without requiring additional handling.
Muse was impressed by the plant’s low maintenance requirements, which were essential in maintaining steady production. Throughout the duration of the project, Powerscreen Texas played a key role in supporting Mills Construction. Muse shared that their rental experience was excellent, emphasizing the flexibility Powerscreen Texas offers in both equipment availability and rental terms.
Muse expressed strong confidence in the support team, stating, “I would absolutely recommend Powerscreen Texas to anyone. It’s been great. Whenever we have an issue, they have been quick to get back to us and sending a mechanic. Parts are easily accessible… we haven’t had a lot of downtime with these machines, and we are pleased overall.”
Market-Ready Material
One of the standout results of this project was the consistent quality of the final product. Mills Construction’s project in Austin showcases how the right equipment, combined with reliable support, can dramatically improve productivity and outcomes. With the Cedarapids CRH1111R and the trusted backing of Powerscreen Texas, Muse and his team have turned a lengthy cleanup into a success story, delivering high-quality recycled asphalt faster than anticipated and with exceptional consistency.