Here in Iowa, most of our secondary roads are still concrete. These have expansion joints every 10' or so. These also absorb water when it rains. Then comes the summer heat.. and when it gets too hot.... we get blowups. Thats where the concrete expands so much, it literally blows the concrete in the air like it was bombed! Usually opens the exp joint on both sides of the joint and throws big chunks of concrete all over the roadway. Ive seen chunks as 1/2 the size of basketballs! There is no warning where or when you will see one you just need to be aware of your surroundings at ALL times. Ive often wondered... what if one of these went off as I was crossing it or just as I was about to cross it???

bob

 

I live in NJ and if you know Route 46 you know all about those pressure ridges and potholes. As for route 80 it speaks for itself as well..

 

This is entirly not true. I build roads for a living, in the Chicagoland area. Concrete is always more expensive than asphalt, but concrete is also way stronger. There are pros and cons to each type of material.

Asphalt is cheaper, but doesn't last as long. However, it's much easier and cheaper to repair.

Concrete is more expensive, but harder (and more expensive) to repair. Plus it's louder. Vehicles make more noise running on concrete, which may disturb local neighborhoods.

Over the years, road technology has vastly improved. Roads are built far better than they used to be. The roads you are complaining about are the OLD ones, that weren't built as well. For most of the Interstates and large highways, a combination of both concrete and asphalt is used.

 

I am not a truck driver, but please realise they pay major taxes to support the upkeep on our highways. Cars are just as hard on pavement as trucks are. Roads just aren't built as good as they used to be.
Anyway, be careful out there.

DougJ

 

I agree, we get snow here for maybe a week but people still run their stud for the four months they are legal. I can't complain much though, aside from the construction our roads aren't bad (with the exception of the roads they chip-seal).

 

Don't forget the thrill of Tar sealer on a hot day. It makes a bike really shimmy. Up hear in Ohio we have a lot of minority owned highway construction companies. A few years ago the Cleveland Plain Dealer had an article showing how many Mansions have been buit using taxpayers money. ( It does not go to the lowest bidder. To get Federal funds it has to go to a minority firm to receive any funding.) The gas taxes, tolls, and other fees have made an expensive state to drive and live in. Any doubts ask any Trucker who drives through Ohio. TERRIBLE ROADS. I have nothing against minorities, but believe , the contracts should go to the lowest bidder and should have a five to seven year warranty. A 4 to 5 foot thick concrete bed for highways should do the trick in warm areas and 8 to 10 feet in cold areas of the country. After World War 2 most of our highways were designed by German immigrants. ( Previous experience the AutoBahn. ) America can have the best roads in the world if the money went to materials instead of in Managements pockets. No one person needs 4 to 6 mansions , when we still have homeless people, and regular people struggling to take care of their families. Now I will get off my soapbox.