CONCRETE STREETS AND ROADS
Less expensive on a first cost basis and for life!

An Extra Mile for Every Five!

Skyrocketing asphalt prices have changed the way people think about construction costs. According to a recent estimate, the cost to build five (5) miles of asphalt pavement is about the same as the cost for six (6) miles of concrete pavement. That's an extra mile for every five!

An Extra Mile (and a half) at Mid-Life!

Along with concrete's lower construction cost, you can count on concrete to go the extra mile in service life. In 15 years at 3% inflation per year, the cost to overlay a 5-mile asphalt pavement would be about the same as building 1-1/2 miles of full-depth concrete pavement. That means another extra mile (and a half) in 15 years by selecting concrete today!

Please read the full article (Click here)

Concrete Offers The Best Price, Longest-life And Environmental Benefits!

Consider the true costs of repaving every few years!

With new construction - why accept new asphalt with its short-term life and environmental issues?

With existing asphalt, why not reuse your existing assets, recycle and reclaim your streets?

Benefits for the taxpayer

New concrete is winning comparable design bids for city streets and intersections... just on a first cost basis, the City of Springfield saved over $9,000 on the construction of 42nd Street.

Longest pavement life... Clackamas County specified a 30 year no-maintenance life cycle for the Monterrey Avenue reconstruction project. Only concrete can meet that requirement.

Cities and counties ... with today's comparable prices, residential, retail business developers no longer have an excuse to cheap out and pave with the black gooey stuff. Demand a 30+ year no maintenance street in concrete. When a 30+ year concrete pavement is specified, the public works and highway departments will have less future expense with streets and roads due to concrete's longevity - that means long-term savings!

As an example most of Longview, some of Portland, and nearly all of Seattle - Tacoma streets and sidewalks were paved in concrete in the 1920's. 80+ years and still going strong!

Stabilization, recycling and full-depth reclamation... failed asphalt pavements can be recycled with a little cement, in a cost-effective manner! Re-use your in-place and paid-for assets of base rock and pavement to make renewed pavements. The City of Portland has used cement to treat the base of a recycled asphalt street, the Oregon Department of Transportation used cement to modify soils during the reconstruction of I-205 near the junction of I-5 / I-205 and Marion County has used cement treated base for asphalt mainline. It's not concrete, but it's the next best thing!

Concrete: it's easy being green!

• Heat and light management... Concrete is cooler and far more reflective than asphalt.
• Ground water management... Pervious concrete recharges ground water. The use of pervious concrete for parking areas, driveways and residential streets can translate to more lots for the developer, as swales or holding ponds may not be needed. This offers the developer more buildable space. The city and county will have fewer storm water concerns when pervious concrete is specified.
• Concrete is the right material for urban growth areas... More lots for homes and apartments deliver more taxable income for the city and county. Concrete is a solution for sustainable communities.

Please read and adopt our suggested resolution (click here)

Remember... concrete is the "green" standard for longevity and sustainability of design.

Additional Industry Resources:

the Portland Cement Association

www.concretethinker.com

the American Concrete Pavement Association

www.pavements4life.com

Claude E. "Rory" Rorabaugh, Market Development Manager
for Oregon and SW Washington.
503-522-7158 cell, office & fax 360-835-0110
rory@northwestcement.org

John V. Arroyo, Executive Director
425-681-6090 cell, 360-956-7080 fax 360-956-7433
john@northwestcement.org

The Northwest Cement Producers Group is an affiliate of the not for proft Portland Cement Association.