This month on Everyday Asphalt, we’re focusing on smoothness from the contractor’s perspective. Lone Star Asphalt’s Jon Wickes, Mike Crum, Jimmy Totten, and Freddy Escobar share what it takes to deliver exceptional ride quality.

We discuss designing for smoothness, building it from the ground up, identifying opportunities for improvement, and how project type can shape ride quality — an insightful exploration of craftsmanship from foundation to finish!

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This month, we're diving into HPG or High-Performance Grade Asphalt Binder. What is it, and what sets it apart? Spoiler: HPG is a very high-grade asphalt binder designed for extreme duty applications.

But how do you use it? Where does it work best? What challenges might you face—and what opportunities could it unlock? Can you simply swap it in for a regular binder and expect bulletproof performance?

Join Jim and Chuck as they answer these questions and take a practical look at HPG in the field. They’ll also introduce a brand-new TXAPA guidance document and share key tips and tricks to help ensure success when using HPG.

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As we move the Everyday Asphalt studio and make some exciting updates to the show, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane with one of our most popular episodes: The Science Behind Rocks and Roadways from October 2024.

This fan-favorite edition takes a deep dive into the quarry to explore the Surface Aggregate Classification (SAC) system. Dr. Jon Epps and Richard Izzo join the conversation to break down when, where, how, and why specific aggregates are needed on our roadways, and the unique challenges that come with it.

We cover everything from geography and geology to aggregate testing, supply and demand, and what it really takes to get the right rock on the road. How many SAC A sources are there in Texas? Tune in and find out!

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his month on Everyday Asphalt, we’re on the road to College Station to catch up with Dr. Charles Gurganus! From the science behind heavy-duty intersections to the collaborative power of the Highway Construction Workforce Partnership, Dr. Gurganus shares insights that matter to everyone in the asphalt industry. Don’t miss this conversation about building better infrastructure and a stronger, more skilled workforce. Tune in!

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The 2025 construction season is right around the corner, are you ready? Now’s the perfect time for a quick tune-up to ensure your designs, materials, production, and construction teams are set to deliver top-quality, smooth asphalt.

Join industry experts Jim Warren and Chuck Fuller for a fast-paced discussion on what it takes to get TxDOT, consultants, and contractors aligned for a successful season. Let’s step up to the plate and knock 2025 out of the park!

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This month on Everyday Asphalt, we welcome renowned Asphalt Plant Consultant TJ Young. With over 40 years in the industry, TJ has worked on plants across the nation, serving as a manufacturer, consultant, educator, and production manager. His deep expertise in asphalt plant operations and maintenance offers invaluable insights into achieving high quality and productivity.

Join us as we explore the past, present, and future of asphalt plants, diving into key operational principles that maximize "Up Time" and ensure durable, long-lasting mix. How would you rate your current plant knowledge on a scale of 1 to 5? Tune in for a knowledge boost!

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2024 marked Everyday Asphalt’s Road Trip Edition, and what a journey it was! With an array of amazing guests and insightful topics, it's definitely worth taking a ride down memory lane. This month, join us as we revisit the highlights of 2024, showcasing the best of the best in asphalt. You might even find yourself inspired to revisit some of these episodes and catch anything you missed the first time around. We’ll see you there!

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The key to ensuring quality asphalt is testing—but how, when, and where you test can significantly affect your results. In this episode, Richard Izzo joins Jim Warren for an in-depth discussion on testing fundamentals, procedures, and the critical role this process plays in guaranteeing quality asphalt pavement.

Learn why quality asphalt doesn’t just meet specifications—it creates durable, long-lasting mixes. Curious about how a spatula and bowl can influence test results? Wondering how long to submerge a Gmb sample in the water tank? Tune in to uncover the answers and explore the science behind the process!

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This month on Everyday Asphalt, we travel to Texas A&M University for an engaging discussion with Dr. Amy Epps-Martin. Join us as we dive into the next generation of graduates entering the workforce, explore current research, and examine real-world applications that shape our industry’s future.

Discover what’s on the horizon—both short-term and long-term—and learn what actions we can take today to empower the next generation!

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This month’s edition of Everyday Asphalt ventures into the quarry to uncover the world of rocks and the Surface Aggregate Classification (SAC) system. Dr. Jon Epps and Richard Izzo join the conversation to explain when, where, how, and why specific aggregates are essential for roadway surfaces—and the challenges that come with it.

We’ll explore geography, geology, aggregate testing, supply and demand, and what it takes to ensure the right rock ends up on the right road. Wondering how many SAC A sources exist in Texas?

Tune in and find out!

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This month we deep dive into another Asphalt Pavement Quality Initiative effort: TxDOT’s Heavy Duty Pavement Design Guidance Document and related efforts. Our special guests this month include Maintenance Division’s Deputy Director Chris Henry, and Pavement Analysis and Design’s Branch Manager Ruben Carrasco.

Our program takes a deep dive into the origins of this effort and what the final products look like and how they will improve performance of Asphalt Pavements in Heavy-Duty Applications. What’s a Heavy-Duty Application? What different about designing one?  Come and find out. We also discuss pavement performance, FPS-23, the pavement design guide and much more. Join us for great discussion on asphalt!

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Join us this month on the August Edition of Everyday Asphalt as we deep dive into the science and art of asphalt paving and how award-winning pavements make longer-lasting pavements. This month's guests include Chuck Fuller (TXAPA) and our special guest, San Angelo District's Director of Maintenance, Jordan Sefcik. Our dive takes us inside the awards program to review projects that meet the high bar and the typical issues they must overcome to win at the highest level. We also look at a case study project in San Angelo and how TxDOT and the Contractor made this a project worth the trip. Use these tips and examples to fine-tune your projects this summer. You might be at the winner's table next year! Join us for another smooth asphalt ride!

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The July Everyday Asphalt edition takes you on the road and to the studio for a review of past episodes and a discussion of new programs, specialty mixes, binders, additives, and applications. Asphalt never settles for the status quo. The Asphalt Industry is constantly working to push performance limits and provide new opportunities. Listen now and learn more about the HCWP, Thick Lift Paving, modified TOM, and PFCs. Enjoy the Ride!

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If you want a simple formula for successful asphalt pavement design and construction, join Jim and Chuck to explore the new Asphalt Pavement Design & Construction Guide. This user-friendly Guide, built on principles of uniformity and consistency, offers strategies for smooth project execution from bid development to final inspection. It also connects you to key design resources, evaluation tools, and the new 341M specification for municipal paving projects. Available online and in print, it’s your one-stop shop.

https://texasasphalt.org/pavement-design/

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Are you curious how a 1.7-mile oval track in Alabama influences Texas roads? Join Jim Warren and special guest Buzz Powell, former NCAT Test Track associate director, to discover the answer. NCAT's research has driven significant advancements in pavement performance nationwide. Learn what insights will shape the future of Texas roads during this edition of Everyday Asphalt!

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This episode of Everyday Asphalt examines how one TxDOT District evaluates pavements for resurfacing and rehabilitation. Creating a cost-effective, long-lasting, smooth-riding asphalt pavement takes a multi-faceted approach. Come along as we travel to the Atlanta District to meet with TxDOT’s Lacy Peters for a technical plunge into designing quality pavements. 

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This edition of Everyday Asphalt takes us to Northeast Texas for an interview with David Madden of Madden Contracting/Longview Asphalt. The conversation focuses on construction as David offers his perspective as a contractor on what it takes to estimate, bid, manage, and construct a smooth, high-quality asphalt pavement. David shares his years of experience and wisdom as we take you on a road trip through Big Sandy, Texas.

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Hit the road with Jim Warren and special guest, 2024 TXAPA President Glen Dvorak (Hunter Industries Ltd.), as they delve into achieving quality asphalt pavement by targeting a smooth ride during the design phase. It starts with setting a target at design and using the proper tools to prepare the pavement for resurfacing. What target? Listen and find out! 

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In this first edition of Everyday Asphalt for 2024, we explore the subject of Troubleshooting Asphalt Mix Designs with Bill Pine, who serves as the Quality Control Director of Asphalt Technology at Heritage Construction & Materials, Inc. Join us for a practical and strategic examination of mix designs. Learn how to analyze a mix, including the essential information required before adjusting, and how to systematically modify mixes to ensure they maintain compliance and produce high-quality, long-lasting asphalt pavements. Bill Pine is a nationally recognized expert in materials and mix design. He teaches the annual Bailey Method Mix Design course at TXAPA.

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As Everyday Asphalt winds up its 2023 season, hit the road with Chuck Fuller and Jim Warren as they test drive one of our new formats for 2024. Our year-in-review episode revisits the best of what we learned about Design, Materials, Construction, and Maintenance as it applies to real-world pavements. Buckle up for a fantastic voyage.

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