Category: Application
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Sanibel Causeway Reconstruction: How Superior Construction Built Resilient Coastal Infrastructure
Three years ago I sat at my desk and saw the photos and videos posted online in the aftermath of hurricane Ian. I felt a catch in my throat as I saw what happened to the small community just off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida. You see, I grew up in the state of…
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Building More Than Roads: A New Approach to Growth in the Asphalt Industry
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In an industry known for grit, legacy, and tradition, Ali Williams brings something different to the table: perspective. As Business Development Manager for Elite Paving, she doesn’t just help grow the company’s client base — she’s helping to reshape how the asphalt industry presents itself, both to potential customers and future workers. Williams is part…
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Heat Safety Rollbacks Endanger Road Crews in the Sunbelt
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in Application, Asphalt, Blacktop, Business, Compaction, Construction News, Construction Safety, Dirt Work, Featured, Infrastructure, Labor & Workforce Development, Maintenance, Milling, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement Marking & Striping, Pavement Preservation & Maintenance, Paving, Plants, Policy Matters, Production, safety, Seal Coating, Sealcoating, Striping, Top Story, WorkforceImagine if tomorrow you woke up and heard a news report stating that a few states had passed laws which ban local governments from requiring workzone barriers like cones or concrete blocks? Or what if you heard they forbid localities from requiring a flagger for road work? Your first reaction might be to fact-check the…
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What Is VRAM? Void-Reducing Asphalt Membranes for Joint Longevity
In the past three years I’ve visited a fair number of jobsites to see how blacktop crews do a lot of what they do on a day-to-day basis. However, I haven’t undergone a lot of what I think of as “formal” training. Thankfully, last year I connected with Shelly & Sands, a large road work…
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Caterpillar Unveils Next Generation Cat 140 Lever Motor Grader at PWX 2025
At this year’s Public Works Expo, Caterpillar introduced its new Cat 140 Lever Motor Grader (140 LVR), giving attendees a first look at a machine designed to merge traditional operator preferences with cutting-edge technology. “This machine is an all-new ground up design for us,” said Eric Kohout, product application specialist for motor graders at Caterpillar,…
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What Your City Wants Paving Contractors To Know About Public Works
If you work in the blacktop industry long enough, you may eventually find yourself exploring some money making opportunities beyond the confines of the private commercial properties market. The good news is that there are usually a lot of different types of jobs that you can bid on in the public sector. While it is…
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AI, Asset Management, And ROI Dominate At PWX 2025
Last week in downtown Chicago, public works professionals from across the country converged at the McCormick Convention Center for the 2025 Public Works Expo (PWX). Every year this show houses products, equipment, and education for people who’s job it is to manage the local infrastructure you use every day. Whether that’s in a large metro…
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Building Trust in Asphalt: The Power of Communication and Consistency
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In an industry where communication breakdowns, vague quotes and inconsistent crews can sometimes cause a headache, Sommerset Paving Companies, LLC offers something different. The Michigan-based contractor has built its reputation on clear communication, consistent quality, and a culture that values people as much as pavement. Louise Pernicano didn’t set out to run a paving company.…
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Take Action: 2025 Asphalt Industry Survey | Asphalt.com
This short 20-question survey is part of our annual State of the Road Building Industry report, published by Asphalt Contractor magazine. Each year, we gather insight from across the country to better understand what contractors like you are facing: from workforce and materials to bidding, equipment, and policy. This year we decided to collect input…
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What the FEMA Act of 2025 Means for Road Builders: Resilience is Now the Standard
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Last year there were twenty-seven separate weather or climate related disasters which resulted in more than $1 billion in damages. A not insignificant portion of those damages were to essential roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure. States hit hard by these events often expressed criticisms of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and how funds…