Why is concrete such a great pavement choice?

Safety

  • Best Visibility – Concrete reflects light, which increases visibility and can save on street lighting costs.
    Reduced wet spray – Concrete never ruts. There’s NO risk of water accumulating in ruts and causing hydroplaning.
  • Best traction grip – Concrete pavements are easily “roughed up” during construction to create a surface that provides superior traction.

Durability

  • Rigid for life – Concrete actually hardens over time. After its first month in place, concrete continues to slowly gain 10 percent in strength during its life.
  • Outlasts flexible materials – With an average life span of 30 years, concrete makes the best long-term pavement solutions.
  • Exceeds its own life expectancy – Concrete pavements frequently outlast their designed life expectancy and traffic loads.

Smoothness

  • Concrete stays smoother longer – The rigidity of concrete pavements allows it to keep its smooth riding surface long after construction.
  • Smoothness most important issue for users – Smoother pavements create safer, more comfortable transportation surfaces.
  • Roads last longer – Concrete can withstand even the heaviest traffic loads. There’s no need to worry about ruts, shoving or washboard effects common with asphalt pavements.
  • Roads save fuel – Concrete’s hard surface makes it easier for rolling wheels. Studies have even shown that this can increase truck fuel efficiency.

Versatility

  • Variable life expectancy – Concrete pavements can be designed to last from 10 to 50 years, depending upon the system needs.
  • Ideal for distressed asphalt – Whitetopping, a process of placing a thin layer of fiber-reinforced concrete over prepared asphalt, is a cost-effective, expedient method of rehabbing old pavements.
  • Best choice for worn concrete – Concrete pavement restoration techniques can extend the life of pavements up to nine times their original design life.

Value

  • Long-term value – Concrete pavements are by far the best long-term value because of their longer life expediencies and minimal maintenance requirements.
  • Easy to repair – The durability of concrete minimizes the need for annual repairs or maintenance. When repairs are necessary, they are typically smaller in scope than asphalt pavements.
  • Rapid paving – Concrete pavement can be built and open to traffic in as little as 12 hours