Hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavement may be cheaper as a first cost, but what about life cycle cost?
Properly designed and constructed HMA pavements are the most economical to maintain over the long term. A comparison study of Ohio s Interstates has shown that original HMA pavements have been cheaper to maintain throughout their lives than concrete pavements and have never had to be reconstructed or replaced. Another reason 93% of roadway surfaces are asphalt. For more information on the comparative costs of maintaining pavements see our study Economic evaluation of Ohio s Flexible and Rigid Interstate Pavements.
