Everyday Asphalt

Everyday Asphalt’s on the road this month, providing an update on APEX including our brand new website!  We also look deeper in designing for, and constructing for ride as well as reviewing progress on educational products and programs, the fall schedule for Essentials, and discussing other programs. We also take a look back some previous episodes dealing with steps to improve ride and quality. AP...

Everyday Asphalt’s on the road this month to visit with Amarillo District Engineer Blair Johnson and Director of Construction Wes Kimmel to learn more about Amarillo and discuss how they have been producing Award Winning Pavements for the last 6 years and even securing the top National Paving Award. We discuss the process, what it takes, how to communicate expectations, and raise the bar on paveme...

Dale Rand, former TxDOT Innovator, Consultant, now with Lime Association of Texas, joins Everyday Asphalt for a History Lesson on TxDOT initiatives leading to current specifications and test procedures. We discuss the QC/QA specification, changing to Superpave, Hamburg, Ride Quality, and even early efforts to balance mix design. Do you know how the VMA specification was developed? Come find out. E...

Harold Mullen, TXAPA CEO, joins Everyday Asphalt for an inspirational look back at TXAPA's past 31 years under his careful watch. We discuss the past, present, and future of Asphalt, Communication, The Yes Doctrine, Work-Life Balance, and how far partnerships can take you - if you are just willing to come to the table. Join us for a look back so we can better see ahead. Ever forward!   Watch...

This month on Everyday Asphalt, Tim Martin President of 2TM Consulting Engineers, joins Jim Warren for a inside out view of pavements - what happens when things go right, what happens when things go wrong, and how to figure out why.  We discuss a troubleshooting and forensics and what to look for when we are looking at pavements!  Join us as we dive deep into pavements this month.   Watch us on Yo...

Hear directly from the contractor’s perspective as Brandon Trout (Allen Keller Company) joins Jim Warren to share how asphalt projects are evaluated, planned, and built for quality and performance. Expect a fast-paced session filled with real-world experience, practical nuggets, and actionable advice for anyone involved in asphalt pavement projects. Curious what asphalt sounds like? Join us and fi...

What does an inspector really do? In December, Everyday Asphalt goes inside the inspector’s role with a seasoned veteran who has more than his fair share of asphalt under his boots. David Till of Atlas Technical Consultants joins Jim Warren to step into the inspector’s boots and explore the judgment, communication, and standards that keep quality strong and safety first on every project. Watch us...

This month on Everyday Asphalt , we’re joined by Gisel Carrasco, MTD Flexible Pavement Section Director, for a deep dive into Balanced Mix Design (BMD) —an approach that is reshaping how asphalt mixes are developed in Texas. BMD represents a shift from traditional mix design methods, with the goal of creating longer lasting, more durable pavements while allowing room for innovation across the indu...

Join Jim Warren and special guest Larry Peirce as they deep dive into the pavement structure and discuss a critical feature of an asphalt pavement… the foundation.  They discuss the details of proper subgrade and base identification, testing, and how to improve the performance of these critical layers. What are the proper steps to ensure durable, economical, long-lasting subgrade and base layers?...

Join Jim Warren and special guest Chuck Fuller as Chuck walks us through a straightforward, step-by-step process for understanding ride quality—and how to achieve it on your projects. Ride quality is the traveling public’s #1 demand, and this session breaks it down: What’s IRI? What’s PSI? What tools belong in your project toolbox to improve ride? Let’s explore the answers together. Welcome aboard...

This month on Everyday Asphalt , we’re kicking off the brand-new Asphalt Pavement EXchange (APEX). A Texas-sized initiative to transform how our industry shares knowledge and builds better, longer-lasting pavements. Industry leaders Carl Johnson , Harold Mullen , Chris Cowen , Cliff Kay , Duane Milligan , Ryan Barborak , Greg Cedillo , and Eric Suarez join in the conversation to explore APEX’s ori...

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...

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 perfo...

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...

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...

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 seas...

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...

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 f...

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-la...

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 to...

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 dem...

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...

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 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, mod...

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 too...