When it comes to road-building materials, asphalt has emerged as the leader across the United States and in many other countries too. According to a survey by the Virginia Asphalt Association, there are more than 2.2 million miles of paved roads in the U.S. and 94% of this length is paved with asphalt. What makes asphalt so popular? As it turns out, many different factors make this construction material the go-to choice for the typical commercial paving company, governments, and other authorities. Asphalt beats out other high-quality construction materials, like concrete. Meanwhile, paved roads in general offer many benefits over unpaved roads. Here's how asphalt stacks up to other road options!

Asphalt Versus Concrete

Concrete is a great building material. It's quite durable, can withstand changing temperatures, and rarely needs to be repaired. However, compared to asphalt, it is very expensive to install. Further, despite its overall durability, it can actually be harder to maintain because repairs can be extremely expensive.

Even with the best commercial paving company, concrete also a long time to install. This is especially important with public works because it would take a long time to open new roads. Meanwhile, old roads being repaired would also have to be shut down for a lengthy period. Asphalt, on the other hand, can be installed relatively quickly. Asphalt is also substantially cheaper upfront. Just as importantly, repairs are much more affordable and generally less disruptive. The fact is, with high-use roadways, repairs are unavoidable, so asphalt's easy-to-repair status comes in handy.

Asphalt Versus Unpaved Roads

You might be wondering, "Why bother paving roads at all?" In many rural areas, you'll find compacted dirt or stone gravel roads. These roads can work well where traffic is light. That said, you'll often end up with muddy cars and trucks, and flying stones can chip windshields and paint. Further, dirt and gravel struggle to deal with high traffic and can quickly get worn out. This will result in ruts and other issues. Unpaved roads also struggle to deal with heavy vehicles like semi-trucks.

If you'd like to further explore the benefits of asphalt, it's smart to get in touch with a commercial paving company to discuss your specific situation. They can help you choose the best materials for your project. If you're looking for an expert paving company in Fitchburg, MA, give us a call at Martinez Road Construction, Inc today.