CRACKING THE MYTHS: THE TRUTH ABOUT PAVEMENT PRESERVATION
Why the best time to preserve a new road is at the start
Welcome to part three of our six-part series on concrete pavement preservation (CPP) education. Each installment takes on a misconception that shapes how agencies plan, budget and make pavement decisions, then examines what the evidence actually shows. This week, we turn to a belief that often pushes preservation to the bottom of the priority list for brand-new roadways.
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Myth:
A newly built pavement has years to go before preservation matters.
Reality:
Preservation pays off from the start. CPP restores and maintains pavement close to or better than its original condition while addressing the underlying causes of distress. Applying preservation treatments early, rather than waiting for problems to surface, is exactly how to keep new pavements performing at their best for the long haul.
· Early action manages the rate of deterioration. CPP is a series of engineered techniques designed to slow deterioration in concrete streets, highways and airports. Starting early keeps a new pavement in good condition rather than allowing small issues to grow into major ones.
· Proactive costs less than reactive. Agencies that manage deterioration from the beginning avoid the costly reconstruction and replacement that follow years of neglect. Waiting until distress appears narrows the options and raises the price.
· It reduces traffic disruption. CPP procedures are designed to be performed within small work areas and at off-peak hours with short, mobile lane closures, which minimizes the impact on drivers and surrounding communities.
· It delivers a safer, quieter ride. Diamond grinding, a core CPP technique, produces a longitudinal surface texture that improves skid resistance and significantly reduces road noise compared to alternative surface treatments, benefiting both drivers and nearby residents.
The value of preservation begins as soon as a pavement shows wear. Agencies that build early, consistent preservation into their plans protect the full value of a new investment and keep their networks performing for decades.
Watch for Myth #4
This is the third of six myths we will tackle in this series. In the next installment, we will debunk Myth 4 and continue building the case for smarter, more cost-effective pavement management. To review the technical details behind today's email, explore the IGGA Pavement Preservation Toolkit: https://www.igga.net/pavement-preservation-toolkit