CHICAGO, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers often hit potholes because they can't see them. But in future winter thaws, drivers may not see potholes because there just may not be as many.

Asphalt has long been the leading road surface in the Chicago area because it was cheaper in the short term, a bonus for municipalities looking to balance tough budgets. But that could be changing with the rising cost of oil boosting the price of asphalt.

"Traditionally most roads in the Chicago region have been paved with asphalt because it was always cheaper," says John Albinger, of the Concrete First Coalition. "But now it costs about the same as concrete. Asphalt is made from a petroleum product, and the increased cost of oil is allowing many road departments to consider alternate materials."

Concrete is more resistant to potholes and less expensive in the long term because repairs don't have to be made as frequently. Illinois has two test sites where asphalt and concrete were used side by side. Those concrete pavements have not needed any repairs in the 25 years since their construction in 1985.

"Asphalt roads are built in layers, which makes them more vulnerable to Chicago winters, especially with all the salting," says Albinger. "Water will get in between the layers. When water penetrates those layers in the winter it freezes and thaws, expanding and contracting, weakening the pavement."

Concrete is placed in a single layer and much less susceptible to penetration from melting snow and ice. A recent study by the Michigan Department of Transportation showed that roads resurfaced with concrete lasted almost twice as long as asphalt resurfacings and cost 10 percent less per mile.

In the meantime, Albinger warns motorists to "never brake during pothole impact. Instead, drivers should apply brakes before hitting a pothole and release them just prior to impact. Less damage occurs when a tire is rolling than when it is skidding over the hole during braking."

Concrete First Coalition ConcreteFirst.org is a project headed by the Illinois Ready Mixed Concrete Association. Its mission is to address policy issues related to the use of concrete in horizontal pavement and buildings.

SOURCE Concrete First Coalition

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http://www.ConcreteFirst.org