Across the country, many public works superintendents still choose their annual paving lists using a method that’s as informal as it is risky: they simply “know” which roads look bad and need work. While decades of experience have value, this approach, often referred to as paving b…continue
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 upside…continue
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 con…continue
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 al…continue
When a road surface starts showing its age, highway departments are faced with a key decision: apply a new overlay of asphalt or dig deeper, literally, with a more comprehensive solution like Full Depth Recycling (FDR) - also known as full depth reclamation. While a simple overlay can buy some time,…continue
Most of us are familiar with hot mix asphalt (HMA), that classic blacktop you see being laid down on roads in summer heat, often steaming in the sun. But there’s another version gaining traction in the paving world: Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA). So, what is it? And why are more highway departments c…continue
How to Estimate Hot Mix Asphalt for Road Paving For Highway Superintendents Shortcut to our hot mix calculator Accurately estimating how much hot mix asphalt (HMA) you’ll need to pave a section of road is key to staying on budget, reducing waste, and keeping your crew productive. Fortunately, …continue
Stormwater management is one of the most effective tools municipalities can use to protect their road infrastructure and stretch maintenance budgets. Too often, the relationship between drainage and pavement longevity is overlooked , but the presence of standing water on or near a roadway is one of …continue
When it comes to assessing road conditions, municipalities often turn to two main approaches: Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and Surface Condition Ratings. Both offer useful insights, but they serve different purposes and vary in complexity, time, and cost. Here's a breakdown to help you choose …continue
Sometimes a simple pothole patch just won’t cut it. Maybe the road is starting to look more like a patchwork quilt than a smooth surface. Maybe those same holes keep coming back, no matter how many times you’ve filled them. When that happens, it might be time to step up the game with gri…continue
If you’ve ever driven down a bumpy road and thought, “Wow, someone really needs to fix this,” you’ve had a firsthand experience with pavement condition, though maybe not in technical terms. That’s where the Pavement Condition Index, or PCI, comes into play. It’s t…continue
Not every road sees rush hour traffic or endless lines of commuters. Some roads quietly wind through the countryside, connecting farms, homes, and small towns. These low-traffic rural roads might not grab headlines, but they play a vital role in the daily lives of the people who depend on them. Main…continue
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 im…continue
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 wit…continue
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 Mat…continue
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 …continue
For years, highway departments have relied on handwritten logs, memory, and word-of-mouth to track maintenance work. But as roads age, crews rotate, and infrastructure grows more complex, it becomes harder to keep track of what was done, when, where, and why. That’s where asset management soft…continue
As a highway superintendent, one of your most important responsibilities is maintaining the quality and safety of your community’s road network. But how do you objectively measure the condition of your roads, prioritize repairs, and defend your budget requests with solid data? That’s whe…continue