News
Articles
Case Histories
Buyer's Guide
Career Center
August 2008
Industry Links
July 2008
Asphalt Roads
Bridges
Concrete Roads
Safety
Traffic Management
Click here for a subscription to
Roads & Bridges
Give us your feedback on our site.
Change your subscription info
Subscribe to our
Executive News Summary e-Newsletter.
EDITORIAL CATEGORY - ASPHALT PAVING
Paving the road to success   Roads & Bridges May 2008   By Tara Vantimmeren
Paving specialist overcomes obstacles, yields strong rewards
Roads 4 show   Roads & Bridges May 2008   By Allen Zeyher
Hayes finalists Hayes finalists win bonuses for smoothness, volumetrics
Beer garden   Roads & Bridges March 2008   By John Bartoszek, P.E.
The city of hops drives home need to be environmentally conscious
PDF Version
Think like a knife   Asphalt Today 2006 February 2008   By Eric Morse
Industry should follow example of contractor in Nebraska
Jersey becomes uniform   Asphalt Today 2006 February 2008   By Rodney Garrett
State makes a commitment to smoothness on all road projects
International flight   Roads & Bridges September 2007   By Ray Brown
SMA is starting to take off as an airfield pavement in Europe; U.S. may soon follow suit
Somewhere between super and all-star   Roads & Bridges March 2007   By Mark J. Grazioli, P.E.
Michigan DOT's decision to go with concrete overlay produces great results
PDF Version
Asphalt Separated   Roads & Bridges October 2005   Chuck Deahl Contributing Author
Strong Makeup   Roads & Bridges October 2005   Richard Holmes, president of Holmes & Murphy
“The mix cools quickly and is difficult for the crews to hand work. We also found that we achieved better joint densities if we didn’t let the joint cool.”
Here comes the knuckler   Roads & Bridges June 2005   Bill Wilson
In general metropolitan pavement hasn’t received enough attention. According to the latest urban pavement condition study by TRIP, approximately one in four miles of the nation’s metropolitan arteries are in substandard condition.
Structurally Sound   Roads & Bridges June 2005   Dave Newcomb, P.E., Ph.D.
Break it up   Roads & Bridges May 2005   —Edited by Allen Zeyher and Stephanie Harris
Some individuals in Texas initially thought RCA would be a substandard material, but the Texas DOT learned that, with improved process control, RCA can be used in new concrete. The Texas DOT’s experience with production, construction and cost of RCA is related in the FHWA report. What follows are brief descriptions of a few of the latest products for doing demolition work and recycling and reclaiming roads.
Ready with cold remedies   Roads & Bridges May 2005   Rodney Garrett
there are contractors specializing in cold (pavement) planning who collectively perform this service nationwide. Nevertheless, as with any other special services contractors, their workmanship quality, services and expertise can vary.
Cleared for takeoff   Roads & Bridges February 2005   Rick Zettler, Contributing Author
“We are not afraid of new technology,” said Richard Holmes, president of Holmes & Murphy. “By having the right machine for the right job, we give ourselves the opportunity to succeed.”
Serious RPM (Race Paving Miles)   Roads & Bridges September 2004   April Goodwin, Contributing Author
… little did they know the German-made paver would assist them with several racetrack, runway and highway paving jobs in the years to come.
Another Case Cracked   Roads & Bridges September 2004   Allen Zeyher, Associate Editor
Finally, about a 20-mile segment of I-70 in eastern Illinois had too much deep, age-related damage to be repaired; it had to be reconstructed.
A Dry Run   Roads & Bridges September 2004
“We had a 15-day window during the August dry season to complete the entire project…"
States achieve recycling success   Roads & Bridges July 2004   By Jason Harrington
Similar to Minnesota’s experiences, MDOT has found that RCA used in base and sub-base material can provide performance comparable to or better than using virign aggregate.
Positive Energy   Roads & Bridges April 2004   Bill Wilson, Editor
The National Asphalt Pavement Association honor is considered to be the most prestigious in the asphalt pavement industry. The winner is determined through a two-year process.
It's Electric   Roads & Bridges February 2004   Rick Zettler
Although the market principal for decades, considerable drawbacks to diesel-fuel screeds, including operator comfort and maintenance issues, have opened the door for an electrically heated screed alternative.
A Hot Wintry Mix   Roads & Bridges February 2004   Jack Donovan Contributing Author
Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, as the management consultant for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority on Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel project, prepared a cold-weather paving procedure that required the paving subcontractor and the asphalt supplier to meet minimum asphalt temperatures at various points between batching and placement.
Life Guard   Roads & Bridges February 2004   Carl L. Monismith and Jim St. Martin
In 1998, in response to this situation, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) embarked on a Long-Life Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (LLPRS) program to rebuild approximately 2,800 lane-km of deteriorated freeways.
Just Following Policy!   Roads & Bridges October 2003
Foamed asphalt lets Ulster County, N.Y., keep its roads open to local and tourist traffic while they undergo complete recycling and stabilization as base material prior to overlay.
Scoring at Home   Roads & Bridges January 2003   E. Ray Brown, Ph.D.
The first two-year cycle of tests at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) Test Track, Auburn, Ala., was completed recently. The results of this first series of tests were presented at the National Transportation Symposium at NCAT held on Nov. 13-14, 2002. Here are some of the findings.
Strongly recommended   Roads & Bridges January 2003   Bill Wilson, Editor
When the Ohio Department of Transportation worked out designs for the expansion of a 2.3-mile stretch of I-77, it originally wanted a 131/4-in. asphalt pavement over an asphalt free-draining base and 6-in. aggregate base. Northstar Asphalt, however, believed more resilience was needed to cover a seven-year warranty, and convinced officials to go with the state's first section of perpetual pavement.
Feeding into smoothness   Roads & Bridges January 2003
The way the feeder system is set up and operated has a major impact on a wide range of mat quality issues. Regardless of the mix type, the paving width or the paving depth, the feeder system must deliver material from the hopper to the auger chamber and across the screed in an uninterrupted, uniform manner. Consistency and doing the fundamental things right are the keys to good feeder system operation.
Rolling on the stones   Roads & Bridges January 2003   Dave Newcomb, Contributing Author
matrix asphalt (SMA) is a strong surface for high-volume, heavy-duty roadways. Why the big interest? It's simple: * Improved performance, noise reduction, and improved safety.
Segregation Buster   Roads & Bridges August 2002   Bill Rieken
At every stage in handling aggregate and asphalt, there is a chance for material segregation to occur. With numerous opportunities for segregation to occur even before the asphalt reaches the jobsite, it does not seem quite fair that the paving crew is now challenged to lay a high-quality, smooth mat void of segregation. Fair or not, however, it is a fact of life.
New concepts spreading   Roads & Bridges August 2002
Iowa’s playing field   Roads & Bridges April 2002   Bill Wilson
During its 47th annual convention in San Francisco, the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) honored Norris’ flawless execution on a 61/2-mile stretch of Route P46 with the 2001 Sheldon G. Hayes Award. It marked the second time the gold medal of the asphalt paving industry went to an Iowa contractor.
Full cooperation   Roads & Bridges April 2002   Margaret Cervarich
The Big I Reconstruction Project in Albuquerque, N.M., involves more than 2 million cu yd of dirt, 610,000 tons of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) and 165,000 cu yd of concrete. And all of it is being used to rebuild two interstate highways (I-25 and I-40) that happen to cross each other in the middle of a busy metropolitan area.
Foam on Bottom   Roads & Bridges May 2001   Blair Barnhardt
States like Georgia find inexpensive base for asphalt rehab
PDF Version
Fast, Fast, Fast . . . Fast Vibrations   Roads & Bridges August 1999   Bill Wilson
Superpave technology has compaction rollers shifting into high gear
Superpave Super Projects   Roads & Bridges January 1999   David Banasiak
Each year, the National Asphalt Pavement Association recognizes construction excellence through its paving awards programs; projects nominated stress smoothness while using Superpave mix design.
Superpave Goes to School   Roads & Bridges June 1998
Five Indiana universities are incorporating the Superpave asphalt binder and mix design method into their curricula.
Quality Asphalt Paving: Easy as A + B   Roads & Bridges May 1998   Larry Flynn
Oklahoma contractor and DOT are recognized for producing and placing the best asphalt pavement in the land; project marks first for state in use of A + B bidding and polymer modification.
Superpave: At Last a Success   Roads & Bridges March 1998   D.R. Turner
The Florida DOT works with a contractor to make Superpave a success
Oklahoma Contractor Claims Top Asphalt Paving Award   Roads & Bridges March 1998
Oklahoma City's Haskell Lemon Construction receives asphalt paving's highest honor for reconstruction project; Kansas and Tennessee contractors are finalists.
A Material Engineer's Perspective: Field Compaction of Superpave Mixtures   Roads & Bridges February 1998   Michael K. Prather
Superpave has made many improvements to the durability of asphalt cement concrete pavements, however, as with any new system, allowances must be made for the unexpected changes.
Field Management Key to Superpave Compaction   Roads & Bridges February 1998   Charles W. Deahl
The Superpave mixes can be compacted productively; however, it is a learning process that involves good field management.
Battling Segregation in Asphalt Paving   Roads & Bridges September 1997   David Banasiak
New machine helps fight hot-mix asphalt segregation on paving job in Creve Coeur, Ill.
Compacting for Superpave Success   Roads & Bridges August 1997   James A. Scherocman, P.E.
A lot has been said about the Superpave binder specs and mix designs, but what about compaction of the mix once it's laid? Our two-part series addresses key issues.
Wisconsin Demo Explores In-place Asphalt Rehabilitation   Roads & Bridges June 1997   Daniel C. Brown
New technology is making the use of foamed asphalt a cost-effective alternative for road rehabilitation projects.
New Developments to Aid Superpave   Roads & Bridges May 1997   Gary Henderson
The Superpave system. We hear it mentioned at meetings, we read about it in magazines and newsletters, and we discuss it in the office. Yet what's the bottom line? Where are we right now in the transition to this performance-based asphalt mix design system?
Superpave Volumetric Mix Design   Roads & Bridges May 1997   Prithvi "Ken" Kandhal, P.E.
Ohio Ushers in Superpave Use with First Project   Roads & Bridges May 1997   Ed Longville
Contractor utilizes in-line blending of SBR Latex to manufacture performance-graded binder specified for Ohio's first Superpave project
Superpave Use Spreads in Iowa   Roads & Bridges February 1997   Renee White
The first Superpave project in Iowa took place in Des Moines two years ago; since then more projects have followed.
Looks can be deceiving   Roads & Bridges December 1996   Don Bradley
Texture imprinting system gives asphalt pavements the look of a brick-paved street
Onboard Compaction Meters Make Inroads into U.S. Market   Roads & Bridges August 1996   Lee Geistlinger
While demand for such units is greater in Europe, U.S. contractors interested productivity on large jobs are beginning to take a closer look at these high-tech tools.
A Superpave Primer   Roads & Bridges February 1996
While virtually everyone in the industry is familiar with the term "Superpave," there still appears to be some confusion over just what Superpave is.
How 'Super' is Superpave?   Roads & Bridges February 1996   Lee Geistlinger
SHRP's Superpave is moving off test tracks and into the roads of Main Street USA. Here's a look at its performance there.
The Badger State Still on the Superpave Bandwagon   Roads & Bridges February 1996
While the actual number of "Superpave miles" in Wisconsin's roadway system is low-approximately 4 to 5 miles-it has made an impression that greatly exceeds its physical presence.

Advertise with us
Learn about our online marketing opportunities.
Home   |   Advertising   |   News Search   |   Articles   |   Buyer's Guide   |   Career Center   |   Case Histories   |   Top of Page