How durable is asphalt pavement?
A. Well-designed, well-built asphalt pavements last many years. For instance, the asphalt portions of Interstate 90 in Washington State have been in place since their original construction more than 35 years ago with no rehabilitation for structural reasons. The entire New Jersey Turnpike is asphalt. Built in 1951, it has never had a failure in the pavement structure. The chief engineer for the turnpike expects it to last another 50 years. Called the “perpetual pavement,” asphalt pavements can last a lifetime because it’s possible to maintain them with only periodic replacement of the surface layer. And with the newer heavy-duty surface pavements, it is possible for overlays to last more than 15 to 20 years.
