Asphalt Roads

Asphalt roads have a long history. It has been used in a variety of applications, from waterproofing baths to storm-proofing ships. The first road to be constructed with asphalt was in Babylon in 625 BC. Thousands of years later, the Incas of Peru developed an elaborate highway system, using asphalt macadam. Today, most roadways in the United States and Europe are paved with asphalt.

During the early 1800s, Europeans discovered large deposits of natural Asphalt in Switzerland and France. The French road testing method, which is still in use today, was introduced to the United States by Logan Waller Page. Several states experimented with laying pavements made of asphalt mixed with stones. In 1838, a paving project was launched in Philadelphia.

By the end of the nineteenth century, the first asphalt roadway in the United States was built in Newark, New Jersey. This was a small experimental strip opposite the City Hall, constructed by Belgian chemist E.J. DeSmedt.

When Did Asphalt Roads Begin?

A larger, smoother roadway was built in Union Square, New York City, in 1872. Another paved road, Threadneedle Street near Finch Lane, was constructed in London. John Loudon McAdam also designed a harder surface road. His design included smaller stones in symmetrical patterns. These roads are commonly called tarmacadam pavements.

In the 1930s, the United States experienced a recession that slowed down the economy. Eventually, this lead to the rationing of gasoline and the development of a public works program. Roads and transportation became the watchword of the time. Automobile traffic increased the demand for various asphalt mixes. However, the most effective deterrent was the use of road oils.

During World War II, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began to take an active role in asphalt paving. They met a large military demand for heavy-duty pavements. At the same time, the Corps of Engineers were tasked with constructing military runways.

After the war, the corps’ involvement in paving continued. They developed methods for determining the thickness of road pavements for heavier airplanes. And they also developed methods for designing and repairing surfaces that could support the heavy loads of military aircraft.

Following World War II, the United States experienced a dramatic economic boom. As a result, the U.S. economy changed from a depression to a booming economy. This was a time of great need for information on how to use asphalt properly. Fortunately, a number of asphalt producing companies formed the Asphalt Institute.

The Institute helped develop road oils and emulsified asphalts. It also trained military engineers in the proper construction of asphalt surfaces. In addition, it developed standardization and structural design for asphalt pavements. Among other accomplishments, the Asphalt Institute helped train road engineers in heavy-duty airfield maintenance.

Since then, the United States has been home to a wide array of asphalt roads. Some of the first paved roadways in the country include Pennsylvania Avenue and Battery Park. Other roadways, such as the Menai Suspension Bridge in Wales, were built in the early 1800s.