Did the 507 + 3 + other roads loop earlier today. Roads 99% free of traffic, great time of year.
A long stretch of the 507 south of 503 is being repaved and delay there can be 10 - 15 minutes or so. Also, they are sprinkling gravel fines on the newly finished rolled asphalt and I found this surface to be pretty slippery. An AI query tells me why they are likely doing this, but in all my years driving / riding I've never seen it before, so new to me.
AI Overview
Gravel fines, stone dust, or fine sand are sprinkled on new hot asphalt to reduce surface tackiness and prevent tire scuffing.
When asphalt is newly laid, the liquid bitumen binder is fresh, hot, and highly sticky. Contractors lightly broadcast fine aggregate over the surface for several key reasons:
1. Reducing Friction and Preventing Tire Scuffing
Freshly laid asphalt takes several months to fully cure and harden. If a driver turns their steering wheel while a car is stationary on fresh asphalt, the heavy friction can twist, gouge, or leave ugly scuff marks on the pristine surface. A light layer of fine sand or gravel fines acts as a dry lubricant between the sticky asphalt and the rubber tires, absorbing the initial twisting friction. [1, 2]
2. Eliminating Stickiness
Until the asphalt cools and cures, the surface bitumen can be incredibly tacky. Spreading fines over the surface blots up excess surface oils, preventing the asphalt from sticking to car tires, shoes, or tracking into homes
A long stretch of the 507 south of 503 is being repaved and delay there can be 10 - 15 minutes or so. Also, they are sprinkling gravel fines on the newly finished rolled asphalt and I found this surface to be pretty slippery. An AI query tells me why they are likely doing this, but in all my years driving / riding I've never seen it before, so new to me.
AI Overview
Gravel fines, stone dust, or fine sand are sprinkled on new hot asphalt to reduce surface tackiness and prevent tire scuffing.
When asphalt is newly laid, the liquid bitumen binder is fresh, hot, and highly sticky. Contractors lightly broadcast fine aggregate over the surface for several key reasons:
1. Reducing Friction and Preventing Tire Scuffing
Freshly laid asphalt takes several months to fully cure and harden. If a driver turns their steering wheel while a car is stationary on fresh asphalt, the heavy friction can twist, gouge, or leave ugly scuff marks on the pristine surface. A light layer of fine sand or gravel fines acts as a dry lubricant between the sticky asphalt and the rubber tires, absorbing the initial twisting friction. [1, 2]
2. Eliminating Stickiness
Until the asphalt cools and cures, the surface bitumen can be incredibly tacky. Spreading fines over the surface blots up excess surface oils, preventing the asphalt from sticking to car tires, shoes, or tracking into homes
