Here's Why!
| A True Iowa Product Over the last 100 years the workers of Iowa’s portland cement and concrete paving industries have been keeping Iowans on the road. That’s because you can count on concrete for pavements that last longer, require less maintenance, are quicker to build, have built-in skid resistance, and are much brighter under lampposts and headlights. All of the major ingredients in concrete are found right here in Iowa and in abundance. Concrete is basically rock, sand, water, and cement. Of these, only the cement requires extensive manufacturing. One of Iowa’s main industries for over 100 years, the manufacture of cement capitalizes on other raw materials found in Iowa like limestone, clay, and gypsum. So, when you build with concrete, you build Iowa’s economy. |
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Safety With the unpredictability of weather in northern Iowa, it’s good to know that concrete roads provide added safety. Concrete pavements offer extra traction because they do not rut and they are built with added surface texture. There is less risk of hydroplaning because water is not allowed to collect in ruts and the added surface texture allows water to escape from between the tire and the road. Concrete pavements also offer better visibility because they are naturally much brighter than other pavements. |
| Lower Cost Concrete’s strength requires less material at construction, less material for maintenance, and provides a longer service life. Concrete typically costs very little to maintain (about one-tenth the cost of other pavements, according to an Iowa State University study). Concrete pavements typically cost no more than an extra 15% to construct, but last about 100% longer. Concrete does not rut or washboard under heavy loads, hot summer sun, or in busy intersections. Fewer of these problem areas mean fewer bumps in your roads and lower maintenance costs for the city, county, and state. |
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Less Disruption of Traffic Concrete pavements are about three times faster to build than asphalt pavements. Not only do concrete paving operations move down the grade quicker, but concrete pavements can be placed with one pass of a “slipform” paving machine, while asphalt pavements require several passes at a slower rate. Overlays and Resurfacing Iowa leads the nation in overlaying worn out pavements with concrete. Even so, few people notice all the miles of roads that have been “whitetopped.” Concrete is often times used over old asphalt or concrete to produce a new, long-lasting driving surface. |
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Airports Nothing has more strength or durability than concrete. Depend on concrete for runways with fewer repairs, better traction, and improved visibility in all kinds of conditions. Wet or dry, hot or cold, for safer takeoffs and landings year-round, you can count on concrete. Environmentally Friendly With recent advances in paving technology, today’s concrete is just as smooth and quiet as any other paving material. Yet, concrete remains friendly to the environment by making use of locally abundant materials, not scarce resources from other parts of the globe. Concrete’s hidden strength is conservation. |
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Positive Lasting Impressions The first thing your customers see many times is your parking area. Concrete parking lots tell your customers that quality is important to you. They will also appreciate the absence of potholes and “birdbaths” that often occur with other types of pavements.
