How Utility Cuts Affect Road Longevity and What to Do About Them

May 28, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

Utility cuts are an unavoidable part of maintaining the underground infrastructure that keeps our communities running. Water, sewer, gas, electric, and communications systems all occasionally require access beneath our roadways. However, when those cuts are not properly managed, they can severely impact the longevity and performance of a road. What Are Utility Cuts? A utility cut is any excavation through a road surface to access buried utilities. These cuts are typically rectangular or square o…continue

Cold In-Place Recycling of Asphalt Roads: Pros and Cons

May 28, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

As highway departments look for cost-effective and sustainable ways to rehabilitate deteriorating pavement, Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) has gained traction as a viable alternative to traditional repaving. This method involves milling the top few inches of an existing asphalt roadway, mixing it with asphalt emulsion or other stabilizers on-site, and then laying the recycled material back down, without hauling materials in or out. But is it right for your roads? Let’s break down the advant…continue

Are Recycled Materials a Viable Option in Road Repairs?

May 28, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

As the costs of raw materials and environmental concerns rise, many municipalities and highway departments are turning to recycled materials as a potential solution for road repair and construction. But are these materials truly a viable alternative to traditional methods? What Are Recycled Road Materials? Recycled road materials typically include reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), ground tire rubber, and even glass or plastic-based additives. These materials ar…continue

Chip Sealing, Microsurfacing, and Other Alternatives to Repaving

May 28, 2025
Listed in Road Maintenance

When it comes to road maintenance, full-depth repaving is often seen as the gold standard, but it comes with a gold-plated price tag. Fortunately, municipalities have a toolbox of cost-effective, durable surface treatments that can prolong pavement life, improve safety, and preserve driving comfort without breaking the bank. Among these are chip sealing, microsurfacing, slurry sealing, and fog sealing, each with its own strengths and ideal use cases. Chip Sealing Chip sealing involves spraying a…continue

Understanding the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Why It Matters

May 27, 2025
Listed in Highway Safety

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the national standard for traffic signs, road surface markings, and signals in the United States. Maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the MUTCD serves as the backbone of roadway safety and consistency, guiding how information is conveyed to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians across all 50 states. What Does the MUTCD Cover? The MUTCD is a comprehensive document that governs: Traffic Signs: Regulatory (e.g., stop signs),…continue