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• Why do crews cut up the road after it is just paved?
  They are removing an asphalt core, which allows a lab technician to determine the percent compaction of the asphalt pavement. If the minimum compaction percentage has not been met, the contractor can be penalized or required to remove and replace the defective mix with mix that meets the compaction specifications.
• Why do crews roll the road with a rubber tire roller?
  ​The rubber tire roller, which is also referred to as a pneumatic roller, provides some compaction. It also provides a kneading action that seals the surface of the mat. This helps prevent moisture from getting into the pavement.
• How hot is asphalt pavement when it is placed on the road?
  The suggested temperature is around 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Why do crews spray tar on an old road before they pave?
  Crews spray the substance – a liquid asphalt called “tack” – to bond the old pavement with the new pavement.
  
  Tack is either a heated mixture of asphalt and water or a mixture of asphalt and solvent. It is heated so it can be sprayed.
• What happens to pavement that gets milled?
  ​This varies by the project, but most of the time it gets recycled and reused again in a reclaimed asphalt pavement mix.

Last updated Jul. 1, 2019