This series will take you on a journey through the rich history of roadway construction, sharing fun facts along with insights into what the future holds for highway construction. We hope each installment brings you a bit of industry-insider knowledge you didn’t know before!
We begin our journey in ancient Greece and Rome.
The ancient Greeks and Romans have been credited with many innovations considered to be well before
their time, including concrete, aqueducts and paved roads. Interestingly, the concept of pavement grooving – the process of cutting precise channels into runways and highways to help prevent hydroplaning and wet weather accidents – can be added to that list. Many roads of ancient civilizations were made of large flat stones placed closely together. Grooving or scoring of these stones helped prevent people and animals from slipping; particularly during wet weather. Pavement grooving, which has long been thought of as the brainchild of British and American scientists in the 1960s, has actually been around since the days of chariots to prevent people and livestock from slipping on wet and steep roads.
Some things never change.
As they were for those who helped shape today’s interstate system, pavement surface characteristics remain primary considerations, particularly regarding smoothness and safety. Concrete’s smooth, rigid surface is why the material remains among the most widely used interstate construction materials. Today’s concrete is more durable, rigid, less prone to wear and tear and provides superior traction, making it the safer and smoother choice for roads and highways.
Fun Fact:
Concrete’s integration into road construction marked a key milestone in 1865 with the world’s first concrete pavement in Inverness, Scotland. This innovation’s enduring success is evident today in Edinburgh, Scotland, where some concrete pavements placed in 1872 are still in use.
The need for safe, sustainable, resilient and long-lived transportation infrastructure solutions has never been greater. Stay tuned as we continue our exploration into the evolution of concrete and its role in preserving our interstate system. Our next stop will be the 20th century when concrete interstates make their debut in the United States and the IGGA is born.