Paving Heavy Truck Routes with Gilsonite

Freight corridors, quarry roads and port access roads carry far more trucks than ordinary roads. Their pavements need extra strength.

Typical failures

• Deep ruts in wheel paths
• Fatigue cracking
• Shoving at junctions

Gilsonite strategy

• Modify binder in surface and binder courses
• Use coarse, interlocking aggregate gradations
• Ensure strong base and good drainage

Expected results

Lower rutting and longer intervals between resurfacing, especially in hot months.

Monitoring

Measure rut depth annually to confirm performance and plan maintenance.

Typical design approach

Monitoring plan

Measure rut depth, cracking and ride quality yearly. Compare sections with and without gilsonite to quantify benefit.

Expected benefits

Lower rut depths in summer and longer intervals between major maintenance.

See asphalt modifier gilsonite and base and binder courses.