What Road Rutting Tells Us About Our Roads

March 11, 2026

Road rutting is one of the most visible signs that a pavement surface is under stress. These long, narrow depressions that form in the wheel paths of a roadway are more than just a nuisance for drivers. They are important indicators of how well a road was designed, constructed, and maintained. For public works departments, transportation engineers, and road managers, rutting offers valuable clues about the structural health of the pavement and the conditions affecting it. Understanding what rutt…continue

The History and Evolution of the American Roadway

January 4, 2026

The story of the American roadway is closely tied to settlement, commerce, and national growth. Long before asphalt and concrete shaped the landscape, early paths followed the natural contours of the land. Over centuries, these informal routes evolved into engineered transportation corridors designed to move people, goods, and services efficiently across vast distances. Long before European settlement, Indigenous peoples created extensive networks of footpaths across North America. These trails …continue

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Your Paving Projects

July 10, 2025

Modern highway departments juggle far more than just asphalt: winter maintenance, drainage repairs, sign management, and the never-ending call log. Deciding whether to outsource paving can either sharpen your operational focus or strain an already tight budget. Below is a balanced look at the upsides and downsides, plus a few decision-making tips tailored for municipal agencies. The Upsides (Why Outsourcing Might Make Sense) Advantage How It Helps Your Department Crew Availability Contracting bi…continue

A Deep Dive into Pavement Condition Index - PCI

June 29, 2025

How highway departments objectively measure roadway health, and turn numbers into smarter maintenance decisions What the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) actually is The Pavement Condition Index is a numerical score (0–100) that expresses the structural and functional health of an asphalt or concrete surface. It was formalized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1970s and is now codified in ASTM D6433. Because the method is standardized, a PCI of 72 in Vermont means the same thing as …continue

When to Mill a Road Before Repaving: A Guide for Highway Departments

June 24, 2025

Overlaying an existing road with a fresh layer of asphalt is a common and cost-effective maintenance technique. However, there comes a point when adding yet another layer without milling (grinding) the surface first can lead to more harm than good. Milling is the process of removing a portion, or all, of the existing pavement before laying new asphalt. This article explains how to recognize when it’s time to mill and why milling may be necessary before repaving. Why Milling May Be Necessar…continue