US-131's Legacy of Strength and Innovation
- slyons86
- Jun 30
- 1 min read

Decades of preservation methods keep Michigan’s vital highway in top shape

How does a highway built in 1961 continue to deliver exceptional performance today? Michigan’s US-131 is a perfect example of the enduring power of concrete combined with timely preservation. With upgrades like diamond grinding and full-depth repairs across the decades, this roadway exemplifies innovation meeting reliability.
When first constructed, the section of limited-access divided highway consisted of nine inches of jointed reinforced concrete pavement with a 100-foot joint spacing on three inches of select aggregate base. This was placed on top of 14 inches of the sand subbase, complete with underdrains.

After 29 years of service, the entire pavement surface was diamond ground, along with some joint repairs and patches. In subsequent years (spanning from 2002 to 2024), a number of patches and repairs were completed, with a second diamond grinding of two of the three lanes in each direction taking place in 2008. Much of the original pavement is in service today!
From its original jointed concrete pavement construction in 1961 to detailed repairs through 2024, US-131 has exemplified the power of concrete innovation.
· Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
· Key Features: Longitudinal joint repairs, spall repairs, full-depth concrete pavement repairs
· Industry Trend: Incremental, long-term maintenance to reduce major overhauls
Next stop on our tour? The historic Route 66. Discover the preservation techniques that maintain America’s "Main Street."
And if you missed the first installment of Age is Just a Number about a 74-year-old pavement in Iowa, you can find it here: https://www.igga.net/post/age-is-just-a-number-concrete-resilience-timeless-strength.