(DETROIT) - Engineers and transportation officials across Michigan are developing new materials and construction methods aimed at reducing potholes and improving long-term road durability.
At Ferris State University, instructors are training inspectors to evaluate the stone and concrete mixtures used in state-funded projects. The testing focuses on how materials hold up during Michigan's harsh freeze-thaw cycles, with researchers tracking performance data to identify longer-lasting pavement blends.
The County Road Association of Michigan has also launched a Local Road Research Program to explore ways to extend pavement life. One technique under study is rubberized asphalt, which incorporates recycled tire material to make road surfaces more flexible and resistant to cracking.
Washtenaw County recently used rubber asphalt for the first time on a one-mile stretch of roadway, with support from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and Michigan Technological University.
Researchers say the added elasticity may reduce pothole formation. Meanwhile, Michigan State University is testing experimental "self-heating" and "self-healing" bendable concrete designed to repair small cracks before they worsen.
Transportation officials say combining improved material testing, recycled components, and advanced concrete technology could help extend road lifespans and lower maintenance costs across the state.