Paving

Isn't thirteen a little early for retirement? Get the facts about a better option: concrete.

It's durable.

When was the last time you saw an asphalt dam? Only concrete can stand up to the immense pressure without failing. Same goes for roads. Concrete pavements have been a mainstay of America’s infrastructure for more than 100 years. The country’s first concrete street, built in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in 1891, is still in service today. Moreover, these long-lasting pavements are not confined to one region of North America, nor to a specific type of environment or climate. Concrete can handle the freezing winters of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to the scorching heat of the Southwest. A recent survey of the 50 state DOTs showed that asphalt roads need major reconstruction after only 13 years compared to 29 years for concrete. With concrete pavements, you're buying the strength of a dam and the longevity of the Roman Pantheon's Dome.

It's affordable.

With competitive initial costs to asphalt, concrete stretches your dollars now and in the future. Because asphalt is a petroleum product, the growing cost of oil and changes in its refinement has increased the cost of asphalt. Concrete is produced locally, cutting production and transportation costs while bolstering local economies and employment. Then add savings from lower maintenance: concrete needs repair only once in 30 years while asphalt can require resurfacing every 8 to 9 years. Less repair means not paying for traffic congestion, maintenance crews, and materials as frequently. Instead, your savings keeps money in local communities, where it belongs.

It's environmentally sustainable.

Concrete's rigid surface improves fuel efficiency for cars and trucks by reducing the rolling resistance of flexible pavements such as asphalt. Tracker-trailors realize an average fuel savings of 3.85% per year on concrete. Concrete’s light color lends it to other sources of energy savings. Greater reflectance increases nighttime visibility and safety. Concrete requires 33% less energy to illuminate streets and parking lots. The light color also reflects heat, which in turn mitigates the urban heat island effect, thus decreasing energy use and smog and improving air quality. And with its reputation for longevity and durability, concrete has been meeting the needs for sustainable development for years. There are concrete structures still standing strong after 1,800 years. That’s 90 generations served by a single structure. If that isn’t sustainable, we’re not sure what is.

Want to know more?

View or download the report, Paving: The New Realities.