why are some roads / highways blacktop and some beige-top ?

[rh71]

Is it just when it was laid down ? Do they use all black-top now ?

 

[xospec1alk]

i always figured the blacktop faded, and became gray.

 

[JDub02]

black top will fade to gray.

in some places, concrete was used. it's a different color.

 

[edro]

Concrete is grey. It lasts longer, but is a rougher ride, and you need pressure joints every so many feet.

Black top is prone to pot holes and wearing down, but it is cheaper and can be coated again for fairly cheap.

 

[DougK62]

Cheapness. Black top is cheap.

 

[rh71]

Most of the CA highways I was on was sand-color and drove loudly. I don't think that was ever blacktop faded.

 

[Sundog]

Some are concrete, some are asphalt. Dealing with asphalt, it can look different with the size, color and amount or rock that is added to the surface layer.

 

[Aharami]

i was once told that down south and in areas where it doesnt get too cold, they use concrete (for the interstate highways atleast). Concrete is a better material for building roads and last longer, but cant be used in areas where it snows a lot or get really cold cuz the concerete will crack. Therefore roads up here in NJ are blacktop cuz it doesnt crack in the winter

dunno if this is true or not, but i assume it is

 

[HardcoreRobot]

some is assphalt some is sement

i think concrete lasts longer (no proof, just observation)

up north i ALWAYS see people resurfacing assphalt
i have NEVER seen people redoing concrete

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Originally posted by: Aharami
i was once told that down south and in areas where it doesnt get too cold, they use concrete (for the interstate highways atleast). Concrete is a better material for building roads and last longer, but cant be used in areas where it snows a lot or get really cold cuz the concerete will crack. Therefore roads up here in NJ are blacktop cuz it doesnt crack in the winter

dunno if this is true or not, but i assume it is

there must be truth in this becuase even in the south, they have to put space in between the concrete sections to allow it to expand and contract. they usually fill that space with a sort of tarry substance. i expect the size changes would be even more with a more extreme winter

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Aharami
i was once told that down south and in areas where it doesnt get too cold, they use concrete (for the interstate highways atleast). Concrete is a better material for building roads and last longer, but cant be used in areas where it snows a lot or get really cold cuz the concerete will crack. Therefore roads up here in NJ are blacktop cuz it doesnt crack in the winter

dunno if this is true or not, but i assume it is

This is somewhat accurate.

They are widening I-10 here in Houston. exclusively concrete.

 

[Sundog]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
some is assphalt some is sement

i think concrete lasts longer (no proof, just observation)

up north i ALWAYS see people resurfacing assphalt
i have NEVER seen people redoing concrete

LOL.....You have then never been where they dump salt on the road during the winters. In Minnesota everything has a low half-life due to the salt.....concrete, asphalt, vehicles, etc.

Right now a larger portion of 94 in Maple Grove (made of concrete) is ripped up being redone. Uggg....

 

[rh71]

CA has nice weather. Why are the freeways there concrete (and annoying loud) ? Why not take advantage of blacktop/asphalt ?

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
some is assphalt some is sement

i think concrete lasts longer (no proof, just observation)

up north i ALWAYS see people resurfacing assphalt
i have NEVER seen people redoing concrete

Come to western NY or anyplace in NE they are redoint it all the damn time, they just take out the whole section between the expansions joint and pour in a new one

and IIRC Blacktop is MORE expensive but smoother Cement is Cheap but rough

 

[Papagayo]

Blame Affirmative Action..