Asphalt pavement is an important element of Colorado’s transportation infrastructure. It offers a safe, cost-effective and green solution for our streets, bridges and parking structures. It plays an important role in our communities.
Today, more than 94% of the nation’s two million miles of paved streets and highways are surfaced with asphalt pavement, according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Asphalt pavements are smooth, cost-effective to construct and maintain, environmentally friendly, and 100% recyclable. They provide a safe and durable surface for all forms of transportation including walking trails, bike paths, bus lanes, roadways and airport runways. >>Asphalt and the environment
Asphalt pavement and production facilities have a surprisingly low carbon footprint. The processing of asphalt pavement produces about 30 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions of comparable concrete pavements, according to the Asphalt Pavement Alliance. And asphalt pavements are America’s most recycled product, with about 100 million tons of asphalt pavement reclaimed each year. Of that, over 95% is reused or recycled, saving taxpayers billions of tax dollars and hundreds of acres of landfill per year.>>Asphalt’s carbon footprint
Asphalt plants are located around the country, often near residential areas, businesses and recreational areas where stone, gravel and sand are available for asphalt production. In Colorado, these production facilities are good corporate citizens who are heavily regulated and monitored by the EPA and by state and local environmental entities, requiring strict emission standards, control systems to prevent dust and smoke, and stringent “visible emissions” regulations. >>Modern Asphalt Plants
