Colorado Springs: Paving the Way with High-Tech Roads

Colorado Springs is trying out some cool new tech to make their roads last longer. They're using special asphalt that's tougher and more durable. This stuff is called stone matrix asphalt, or SMA for short. It's thicker and harder to work with, but it's supposed to hold up better, especially on busy roads like Woodmen Road. The city even went to Denver to check it out before deciding to give it a shot. But that's not all. They're also testing out asphalt mixed with fiberglass and Kevlar. Yeah, the same Kevlar used in bulletproof vests! The idea is that these additives can help the roads last longer and resist cracks. They've been testing these mixes for the past decade, and so far, it seems to be working pretty well. The city is keeping a close eye on these test patches to see how they handle the tough Colorado weather. They want to make sure these roads can take the heat in the summer and the freeze-thaw cycles in the winter. If these new materials pass the test, they could become a regular part of road construction in Colorado Springs. Meanwhile, the city is also using recycled asphalt for paving. This is their second year doing this, and right now, they're using it on Oro Blanco Drive. It's a small step, but it's part of a bigger effort to make roads better and more durable.