One of this country’s earliest paving projects was the paving of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. This project used asphalt provided by a Trinidad Lake exporter, and reportedly the road lasted 11 years – not bad for pre-petroleum product. In the mid 1870’s refined petroleum asphalt was developed, and another huge advance was the introduction of a laboratory testing method first developed in France. Modern asphalt was tested and perfected in order to accommodate the booming automobile population. By 1910, refined petroleum dominated as the asphalt of choice.
Potholes are not a modern invention! Asphalt maintenance on a Pennsylvania highway, 1920.
In 1956 the demand for asphalt reached a record level when Dwight Eisenhower’s Federal Aid Highway Act provided for the most extensive highway infrastructure on the planet. The highways were largely built with asphalt, although some state highway departments opted for concrete. The modern highway system was born.
Today, asphalt still resembles these early formulas with the addition of binding agents that prevent rutting, provide more drainage and add durability. The benefits of asphalt are timeless: Rapid drying, good drainage and relative low cost make it the winning choice yesterday and today!
Thanks to From Liquid Lake to Superpave, the evolution of hot mix asphalt, an article which first appeared in Asphalt Contractor magazine, February 1999.
Celebrating the job(s) well done!
Allied celebrated the July 4th of July and a record summer with a hot grill, burgers and plenty of fixings. The party was a thank you to our hard-working team for making this summer possible. Despite a shorter season due to the weather, Allied has seen unprecedented growth this summer. A steady workload will keep us busy well into the fall. Thanks everyone!
Allied crews take a quick break before getting back to the blacktop!
