By Jim Hunt for the Harrison County News and Journal
Each year, around this time, the smell of asphalt fills the air as cities across the country
begin paving their streets and alleyways. I was pleasantly surprised this past week to
see a huge milling machine backing up the narrow alley next to my office. Soon after, a
large dump truck arrived, and the milling machine started scraping the old blacktop into
the trucks via a conveyor belt. A few days later, the paving machine rolled in, and a
truck filled with asphalt began filling the till until a smooth ribbon of new pavement
emerged. A heavy roller then compressed the asphalt, ensuring a level surface, with
water and sewer manholes efficiently raised to match the new road height.
This inspired me to delve into the process of asphalt pavement. I learned that this
common practice dates back thousands of years, used initially by the Mesopotamians to
waterproof their temple baths and water tanks. The Phoenicians also utilized it to seal
their merchant ships. Asphalt’s use in road building began around 625 BC in Babylon,
and the Romans further advanced road construction for military travel. In more recent
times, John Loudon Macadam pioneered the use of broken stones mixed with asphalt,
often referred to as “Macadam”; or simply “tarmac.”
In the United States, asphalt paving was introduced in 1870 by Belgian chemist
Edmund J. DeSmedt in Newark, New Jersey. A few years later his notable project
involved paving Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC with 54,000 yards of sheet
asphalt. The development of asphalt paving accelerated significantly with the passing of
the Interstate Highways Act in 1956, which allocated over $51 billion to road
construction. This led to advancements in equipment, including automated leveling
features that greatly improved efficiency. Notably, asphalt paving is one of the most
recycled products in use, with over seventy million tons recycled annually in the United
States alone.
Cities have adopted asphalt as their primary paving material for several reasons.
Historically, streets were constructed using brick or concrete, which required lengthy
closures for repairs and replacements, often lasting weeks or months. In contrast,
asphalt paving is quick and efficient, allowing traffic to resume within hours. Additionally,
asphalt’s flexibility makes repairing potholes straightforward, minimizing traffic
disruptions.
Reflecting on my time serving on the Clarksburg City Council in 1985, I recall when the
public works department used motor oil to control dust on gravel alleys, a practice later
outlawed due to environmental concerns. Since then, we’ve gradually incorporated
these alleys into our paving schedule, although some gravel alleys remain in parts of
the city.
I hope this exploration of street and alley paving has been enlightening. I’m enjoying the
improved appearance outside my office with its fresh layer of asphalt. When you
encounter paving equipment in your neighborhood, remember to follow safety
instructions and be mindful of workers’ safety. The large machinery can obstruct
visibility, and the noise creates potentially hazardous conditions. Stay safe and support
these dedicated workers as they enhance our Amazing Cities.