Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Materials and Road Research

Materials and Road Research

Pavement Preservation

Whether a roadway pavement is constructed of asphalt, concrete or a composite system, traffic loads and the environment inflict damage and contribute to its deterioration over time. Preservation treatments act to slow these effects on a pavement. When the right treatment is applied at the right time on the right project with quality materials and construction practices, these treatments offer a proven, cost-effective approach to extending the overall service life of a pavement while providing smoother, safer roads with fewer costly repairs.

Pavement Preservation: “Work that is planned and performed to improve or sustain the condition of the transportation facility in a state of good repair. Preservation activities generally do not add capacity or structural value, but do restore the transportation facility’s overall condition”.
Source: FHWA-EDC4: Pavement Preservation (When, Where and How) - FHWA-16-CAI-018

Applying the right pavement preservation treatment at the right time (when), on the right project (where), with quality materials and construction practices (how) is a critical investment strategy for optimizing pavement performance.

Pavement Preservation resources