New Season, New Tagline

We are the Asphalt Preservation Specialists! 

That has been our tagline for a long time…And although it certainly conveys the expert knowledge and trust our clients have found in Gee over the years, it does not explain WHY choose Asphalt Preservation in the first place? 

We apply GSB-88® (Gilsonite Sealer Binder)--proven by expert research to both save up to $10 for every $1 invested AND outlast typical seal coat products by 2x.

So, as we look ahead to the 2016 season, Gee Asphalt Systems, Inc. is now your source for Making Good Pavements Last Longer Nationwide.
And, we are proud to partner with you! 

Contact us today for a free consultation and let us show you how you can sustain pavements AND save money with GSB-88 ® as part of a sound Asphalt Preservation Maintenance Strategy!

Trails: Save 10x Over the Cost of 1 Asphalt Overlay!

Are you ready?
Soon cabin fever will give way to park dates and afternoon bike rides. Are your trail systems ready for the traffic?

Many communities have incentives to improve local bicycling infrastructure and expand ways to engage the community for a lasting positive impact. But, do you know how to stretch those dollars even further?

GSB-88® is your solution!
Because, seal with GSB-88® and get proven superior binding/adhesion, and water stripping resistance. Plus, pavements weather slowly, are proven more durable, have an increased load carrying ability and service life – and have a “like new” look!

E.P.A. Tested and Approved/Non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic, and non-toxic/Won’t leach harmful levels of PAHs into the surrounding park environment.

And, GSB-88® is GREEN:
All attributes combined…seal with proven environmentally friendly GSB-88® and Sustain Park Pavements 10x longer than other processes!

Let us show you how you can sustain park trails. Contact us today for a free consultation and  AND save money with GSB-88 ® as part of a sound Asphalt Preservation Maintenance Strategy!

Are reoccurring repairs a Budget Nightmare for 2016?

What’s on your Budget for the New Year? 

Are some of the same patches and fixes expected on your Budget again in 2016? If you are this pavement owner, just like last year and several years before that, this ugly repair is now a permanent line in the Budget. 

Plus, besides the cost of the materials, this downhill narrow stretch without shoulders creates potential safety hazards for both motorists forced to a stop and workers out on the road during the duration of the repair…YEAR AFTER YEAR.

Had a more proactive approach been taken—before the tale-tale signs of pavement decay—with a sound Asphalt Preservation strategy, this repair wouldn’t be a reoccurring nightmare. 

Being Pro-active with a sound Asphalt Preservation Strategy saves A LOT of money!

With proven cost savings—up to $10.80 for every $1 spent on Asphalt Preservation, just how much money is being wasted on reoccurring repair YEAR AFTER YEAR?

Contact us today for a free consultation and let us show you how you can sustain pavements AND save money with GSB-88 ® as part of a sound Asphalt Preservation Maintenance Strategy!

Night Repairs Giving You Budget Nightmares?

FALL is HERE.
The days are getting shorter and if worsening pavement deterioration throughout your lot is giving you nightmares, there are now less daylight hours for necessary repairs that you hope will keep your binder protected throughout the harsh unpredictable winter months. 

But, night repairs often
come with a much
LARGER PRICE-TAG.
And, if your business is open 24 hours, less parking might mean customers may drive on down the road and spend their money at your competitor’s store!

What if you could make those closures less often, for less time, and ultimately save you money? GSB-88® lasts 2x as long as other processes AND cures quickly AND saves you money. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us show you how you can sustain your parking lots with GSB-88 ® as part of a sound Asphalt Preservation Maintenance Strategy!

Webinar: Airport Consultants Council's Lunch + Learn

“Responsible asset management practices combined with an ever-increasing pressure on budgets, is reshaping the overall approach towards airport pavement management. The industry is pro-actively accessing processes and systems to safely treat airfield asphalt pavements and pivoting towards more preservation and life-extension goals.”

–Airport Consultants Council

Recently ASI presented the Life Extension of Airport Asphalt Pavement, Preventive Maintenance & P-608 as part of the Airport Consultants Council's Lunch + Learn webinars.

If you still have questions about the new FAA Specifications, such as when are the best cost-effective times to treat airfield pavements, what research findings are most meaningful to my maintenance plan, and want to see the break down of real Airport Pavement Management Programs, this webinar is for you!


click here to view

At Gee, our mission is to provide quality products and services. Customer satisfaction and pride in workmanship are our goals and are reflected by the growth of our company across the nation. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us show you how you can sustain your airfield pavements AND save money with GSB-88 ® as part of a sound Asphalt Preservation Maintenance Strategy!

GSB-88® received 4th GreenCircle® Certification!

We’ve all heard in the news the increasing scrutiny and even some lawsuits over health-food claims and misleading ingredients.

You may also be skeptical about new sealcoat products and their claims...but GSB-88® is not just another sealcoat! Gilsonite Sealer Binder comes from Gilsonite, a unique natural hydrocarbon high in asphaltenes and nitrogen compounds–completely unrefined; nothing taken out or added. And, GSB-88® can be tested with quantifiable and predictable results!

Just recently GSB-88® was submitted to the rigorous and Internationally accepted Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by 3rd party testing & analysis.

We proudly announce, on behalf of our distributor ASI, GSB-88® has received GreenCircle® Certification for the 4th consecutive year! GSB-88® received high scores in all categories, and GSB-88® remains the only product in its category to be recognized.

If utilized globally, GSB-88® could save 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year and billions of dollars in savings!

Click here to see the certificate here.

GSB-88® Saves Money / Improves Safety in Parking Lots!

While thousands of people slip and fall in parking lots each year, statistics have shown that most parking lot accidents are the result of slippery conditions in poorly maintained parking lots during the winter. And any other time during the year, very rarely does the average patron talking on their mobile device or carrying oversized packages–otherwise distracted–consider the safety of the pavement they are walking on. No matter the size, every inch of your parking lot needs to be carefully maintained because patrons walk over every part of it!

This is of the utmost importance, because, you, the parking lot owner could be held liable in court if an injury was caused by damaged/aging pavement, potholes, or crumbling curbs. In other words, if you are found to be negligent because your lot wasn’t kept properly safe you could be shelling out thousands of dollars in claims!

You have a few options when it comes to effective parking lot maintenance. You can wait until you see some raveling or cracks in the pavement and apply a fix that may only last a season–or you can get ahead of the damage with a pro-active Asphalt Preservation Strategy with GSB-88®. 



Because GSB-88® is not a typical coating, it’s unique regenerative properties allow the product to penetrate through and become part of the surface of asphalt pavement while preserving and strengthening the binder. Any deterioration your pavement may have been experiencing will be halted and the lot will actually retain the black “like-new” appearance.

Plus, applications of GSB-88® are quick-curing and require little downtime and last 2x as long as other processes–getting patrons back into your business a lot faster with fewer headaches.

GSB-88® saves you money and improves safety. Give us call and we’ll show you the difference!

Can Asphalt Preservation REALLY Impact a Pavement's Load-Carrying Capability?

There are
always variables affecting a road, but the impact of preventive maintenance
can be this noticeable!










What Determines the Load-Carrying Capability of Asphalt Pavement?
Asphalt pavement mixes are mostly made of Aggregates (90-95% of the pavement mix, by weight) and Asphalt Binder (4-8% of the pavement mix, by weight).

Aggregates provide most of the load-bearing properties of the mix. I.E., crushed stone, gravel, and sand–all hard, inert mineral materials. In contrast, as defined by the FHWA, the Asphalt Binder, typically produced by refineries during petroleum processing, is the thermoplastic materials and sticky substance that holds everything together.

When your Binder is left unpreserved, it dries out/loses flexibility and vital oils, and is no longer able to hold the Aggregates in place. When Aggregates become loose, the Load-Carrying Capabilities of your pavement are severely compromised–and your pavement will continue to decrease in Grade/Quality/Usability.

There is ABSOLUTELY something you can do to preserve YOUR pavement’s load-carrying ability and halt the deterioration cycle–ASPHALT PRESERVATION.
The FHWA states, "Preservation addresses minor deficiencies early, before the defects become major problems, and extends the life of the asset at a relatively low cost. A strong preservation program is essential to asset management."

We ARE the Asphalt Preservation Specialists!
Gee is a Family company and we have been conducting research on best-practices for more than 60 yrs! Do you want to know how you can maintain the Load-Carrying Capabilities of your pavement?  Give us a call, drop us an email, or connect with us via social media. We'd love to share our expertise with you!

Road Maintenance: We need to change our thinking–NOW.

Not just up to Congress to fix:
In the news, the ASCE graded our 4+ million miles of public roadways a “D” and ranked us 16th in the world! They concluded:

Plus, our economy is impacted as freight is slowed down, diverted, impeded on the way to ports, railways, and city centers—and the cost is passed down to the consumer.

This is making news alongside our almost bankrupt Federal Highway Trust Fund.
But, ear-marking more money and resources to reconstruct a lot of failing roads now just means the cycle will repeat itself in 20 years–and be even more expensive and dire.

This isn’t a problem that has crept up on us overnight.
The snowball has been forming as regular maintenance initiatives have been put on the back-burner. Especially repairing minor surface defects, that don’t seem to impact the average traveler and are expected even as roads age, are often perceived as unnecessary and even wasteful spending by states, counties, and municipalities.

We’ve been building roads the same way for 50 years:
The traditional way we think about the life of a road is adding to the problem. Even today, we build a road based on a 20 yr life-cycle, leave it alone for a number of years “because it looks and performs Good”, and then act when the damage is clearly visible with varying degrees of fixes; patches, crack-sealing, overlays—often determined by what’s available in the budget and not what’s best for the health of the road.

One significant problem:
By the time the damage IS seen, over time, the binder strength has already been compromised.

The “fix” does not work:

• It does NOT improve binder health
• It uses a lot of resources for little gain

In other-words, It does NOT significantly extend the life of the road.
Also, since the lion’s share of the road maintenance budget went towards trying to fix Poor Condition roads, little if any is left to maintain Good Condition roads.

A better way—We MUST Maintain Good Condition Roads:
Asphalt Preservation with GSB-88:

• Penetrates into the pavement matrix; becomes part of the surface of asphalt, sealing and binding aggregates tightly together.
• Halts surface oxidation/weathering
• Lasts 2x as long as other products/extends pavement life
• Saves 10x over the Cost of 1 Asphalt Overlay!

The Future Impact:

We need take responsibility NOW-road by road-at the local, county, state, and federal level, and do our part to ensure a sustainable infrastructure for our children.

If all Good Condition roads were maintained and preserved on a regular schedule not only would there be significant cost-savings, but road life would be extended 20-30, even 40+ yrs!

Sound too good to be true? We have pavements that have been in service for 42+ yrs! Let us show you how you can create sustainable roads. Contact us today!

FAA revised "P" Specifications Listing

The recently published Federal Aviation Administration’s revised Advisory Circular contains new and revised “P” Specs.

They are as follows:

P-608
Emulsified Asphalt Seal Coat
Recommended Use:
For ALL airfield pavements – including runways, low speed taxiways, shoulders, overruns, roads, parking areas. For maximum benefit, apply to new asphalt pavement and pavements in fair or better condition.

P-609
Bituminous Surface Treatments
Recommended Use:
For airports serving small airplanes 12,500lbs (5670 kg) or less.
Not recommended for routine turbo-prop and jet engine aircraft.
Warning: May leave excessive amounts of loose aggregate on pavement surface. Only recommended for pavements other than airfield pavements.
* Use on overruns, roads, and other general applications.

P-626
Emulsified Asphalt Slurry Seal Surface Treatment
Recommended Use:
For airports serving small airplanes 12,500lbs (5670 kg) or less, some 60,000lbs (27216 kg) or less exceptions.

P-629
Thermoplastic Coal Tar Emulsion Surface Treatments
&
P-630
Refined Coal Tar Emulsion w/out Additives, Slurry Seal Surface Treatment
&
P-631
Refined Coal Tar Emulsion With Additives, Slurry Seal Surface Treatment
Recommended Use:
For airports serving small airplanes 12,500lbs (5670 kg) or less, some 60,000lbs (27216 kg) or less exceptions.
Warning: Many states and local authorities prohibit the use of coal tar products with environmental/safety regulations. 

P-632
Bituminous Pavement Rejuvenation (Reclamite)
Recommended Use:
For airports serving small airplanes 12,500lbs (5670 kg) or less.
*Use on pavements other than airfield pavements.
Note: the term “rejuvenation product” carries the same connotation as the term “rejuvenator” or “rejuvenator/sealer.”

Sustainability and the case for Pavement Preservation

(adapted from ASI research)
All of us in the pavement industry are ultimately responsible for how to best sustain our pavements. 



FACT

• There is an enormous amount of pavement in the world, and the quantity is growing every year;
• Economically & environmentally, it is infinitely cheaper & better for the planet to maintain pavement than to replace it;
• Some methods of pavement preservation are much “greener” and therefore more sustainable than others;
• To move forward sustainably on local and global levels, asphalt pavement simply must be preserved wisely.

World Pavement Numbers

There are nearly 3-million miles of paved roads in the U.S. alone - enough to circle the earth 120x at the equator. Total U.S. farmland is approximately 80,000 square miles, while pavement (including parking lots and airfields) is approximately 61,000 square miles. China and India are close behind and growing quickly; globally, we will soon exceed 12-million miles of paved roads. Each additional car requires an average of .18 paved acres (road & parking), meaning that 5 cars require an additional football field of pavement.



The reality is that pavements pose a sustainability challenge. Their construction and maintenance consumes large quantities of non-renewable materials, while also creating significant energy and environmental impacts. In the U.S. alone, over 350 million tons of raw materials go into the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of pavements annually.

Maintenance Considerations

“Environmentally friendly” can often mean “more expensive,” but that is not the case with pavement preservation options. Economically, over a pavement’s 20-30 year lifespan, it is 10x cheaper to maintain existing asphalt than to replace it. And environmentally, enormous resources are saved: studies have shown that if all pavements were properly maintained rather than repaved, global CO2 emissions could be reduced by over 1 billion metric tons per year, which equals an annual 3% reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Naturally, some pavement preservation products are “greener” and therefore more sustainable than others. Water-based emulsions are widely recognized as a better environmental choice than fuel-based cutbacks. GSB-88® sealer/binder/rejuvenator emulsion represents a very economical, versatile, and environmentally friendly option – plus it is the only industry product to receive an Environmental Product Declaration as well as Green Circle Certification.

Even larger sustainability differences can be found in various pavement preservation methods, shown in the chart below.

Annualized Energy Consumption & Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions per Type of Treatment:

Sustainability is an economic and environmental priority in today’s world, and proper asphalt preservation represents a significant part of it. Asphalt pavement comprises nearly 2% of the earth’s surface, and preserving it wisely can save billions of dollars every year while also reducing annual global greenhouse emissions up to 3%. Affordable and resource-friendly solutions are readily available; utilizing these products and processes properly will help achieve the decoupling of economic growth and environmental decline, and thereby move the planet forward more sustainably.

(full article and research references can be viewed at http://www.asphaltsystemsinc.com/blog/item/sustainability-and-pavement-preservation)

Seeing is Believing, GSB Works!

If you visit Gee’s headquarters in Cedar Rapids, Ia, we'll invite you on the Asphalt Preservation Tour. Because, we haven’t just recently expanded into Asphalt Preservation methods and can only speculate about their performance. No, we have been conducting independent research since the 1970s! 

Not only have our research results remained consistent, but similar studies and findings conducted by expert entities including NAVFAC, FHWA, FAA, MDOT, and AZDOT have also proven the quantifiable benefits of Asphalt Preservation in sustaining the performance of asphalt pavements.

Case in point, Lakeside Drive:
* Installed in 2001
* 100 yard test pavement area
* Left lane treated with
   GSB every 5 years,
   while Right lane   
   remained untreated.

13 years later--the outcome is astounding!

Aggregates in the GSB lane remain tightly glued down while the lane itself appears to be from a much newer installation.

However, the untreated right lane is a real mess--severe cracking and raveling has allowed moisture and other elements to seep down and dry out the binder and completely weaken the pavement structure!

Both lanes are the same age, but it is clear the Right untreated lane, in Poor Condition, is nearing the end of it’s usefulness while the Left lane treated with GSB remains in Good Condition.



Here at Gee Asphalt, we have pavements that have been on a continuous asphalt preservation program for 40+ years and counting!

See for yourself how GSB can sustain pavement life! Give us a call for a free quote and start sustaining your pavements today!
Watch full video at :    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SecDJJNqt8E

Why should you preserve a perfectly Good Runway?

Garfield County Regional Airport (RIL):
How a Pro-active Pavement Maintenance Strategy is saving this airport millions!

The Need for a Pro-active Strategy:
"In mountainous areas subject to extreme weather conditions, asphalt will fail after only 12 years, even if a runway was initially designed to structurally hold for 20 years."
–William VanHercke, Manager, Aviation Services, CH2M HILL's Northwest Mountain Region

“Research shows that if airports maintain asphalt pavement every three to five years, they can get more than 20 years out of a runway – if not 30.” –Joel Harry, Airfield Civil Engineer, Project Manager, CH2M HILL

"We (had) an absolutely perfect runway So, one month after it was finished, we completed a 20-year maintenance plan to make sure it stayed in that same condition."
–RIL Airport Director, Brian Condie

The Plan (Get Ahead of Deterioration Cycles):
Historically, RIL was forced to shut down each year for several days while the pavement surface was closely inspected and every crack sealed. This was a terrible inconvenience and loss of revenue for the airport and the whole community. Plus, Some RIL's runway pavement and joints were showing signs of premature raveling–only 3 short years after the runway was refurbished.
 
But, instead of waiting five years before taking steps to maintain their Good Condition runway, RIL developed a pro-active maintenance strategy to postpone a full resurfacing.

GSB Is the Solution:
RIL sought the advice of Asphalt Systems to determine the best long-term maintenance strategy while keeping the runway looking and performing like brand new. Together, it was decided GSB was the best solution.

GSB-88, made from a natural black bitumen, contains a rejuvenating agent that penetrates into the matrix providing long-term protection, while keeping the pavement pliable and flexible. And, because GSB is made from a long-chain hydrocarbon, it is extremely resistant to moisture and ultraviolet rays–preventing UV rays from breaking down vital oils.

GSB Is a Budget-saver!
Because the project came in around $300,000 (vs. the originally anticipated $470,000), RIL was able to carry over the airport's entitlement funds for use on a bigger project the following year.

But the money saving doesn’t stop there.
“By performing prompt preventative maintenance every few years, the airport expects to spend $1.5 million over 25 years vs. an estimated $6 million to resurface the runway twice."–William VanHercke, Manager, Aviation Services, CH2M HILL's Northwest Mountain Region

That’s over 3x in savings!!!

3 years after application, the GSB-treated surface remains in “like new” condition and performance! Now that’s a Win-Win result!

Plus, the New FAA P-608 Specification calls for Gilsonite Modified Asphalt Emulsion (GSB) to be used on all airfield pavements, including runways and high-speed taxiways! Start saving money and sustain the look and performance of your runway!
Contact us today!
--------------------------

Full quotes and related article:
Airport Improvement Magazine http://www.airportimprovement.com/content/story.php?article=00516

New FAA P-608 Specification Calls for Emulsified Asphalt Seal Coat

Proven on 400+ airfields and 300+ runways nationwide, GSB-88® qualifies for AIP funds! 

The recently published Federal Aviation Administration’s revised Advisory Circular contains new and revised “P” Specs. One of the new additions is P-608 Emulsified Asphalt Seal Coat which calls
for Gilsonite Modified Asphalt Emulsion to be used on ALL airfield pavements, including runways and high-speed taxiways. Although P-608 is a new FAA specification, Gilsonite Modified Asphalt Emulsions have been used as highly effective airfield pavement preservation tools for 40+ years.

Gilsonite is Green Circle Certified and fully compatible with bitumen. As a resin, can be melted into hot bitumen, added during the hot-mix manufacturing  process, or blended into a preservation treatment as a uniform, easily workable product with minimal downtime.

Better than a typical sealer that sticks on top and wears away while allowing damage to weaken runway binders, GSB® penetrates through and becomes part of the surface creating a superior barrier against the elements, fuel spillage, and breakdown during daily use. Grooved runways need not be re-grooved, nor are PFC (porous friction course) asphalt surfaces altered.  

Gee Asphalt Systems, Inc.
    •    Family Owned and Operated.
    •    Recognized & Trusted Nationwide.
    •    Long-established Industry Leaders.
    •    Leaders in Advancing Preservation Strategies.
    •    Our skilled team of technicians and craftsmen have a combined experience of 150+ years.

As one of approximately 65 GSB® dealers in the United States, Gee Asphalt is the ONLY GSB® applicator with 41+ years of continuous experience traveling to projects nationwide. Let us show you how you can sustain your runways AND save money!

Diverse Research Proves the Benefits of Preservation

As a family business, here at Gee, we have been conducting research on preservation products for close to 50 yrs and counting. But, as we all have observed firsthand, the asphalt industry has changed while costs have risen--and roads just don’t last as long as they used to. And, in response and under the mandate of reducing costs and sustaining vital infrastructure, many other entities (only some are listed above) have done independent research with all the same results:

The use of Preservation products can extend 2x the life of pavements and reduce overall maintenance costs.

But this research isn’t just filed away, it’s put into practice!

 While most of California’s highways are more than half a century old, they carry nearly half of the nation’s container freight. Recently the California Transportation Commission (Caltrans) initiated a “Fix It First” campaign, which includes preserving pavements that are in good condition from deteriorating. 

Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty reasons, “To get the most bang for the buck for taxpayers, Caltrans targets dollars where they are most effective--pavement preservation. Every $1 spent on preventive pavement maintenance saves Californians $11 that would have been spent on expensive pavement repairs.”
(Source: Central Valley Business Times / Sacramento, CA June 26th, 2014

)

Time and time again, test after test, pavements in Good Condition when treated with GSB, result in a  binder with unmatched strength–durability and bonding properties with high density–capable of preserving vital oils and flexibility in the pavement for decades of trouble free pavements and prolonged traffic load carrying capabilities! Contact us today and let us show you how we are preserving today’s infrastructure for future generations.

Interview with Derek Snead, P.E., Jones County Engineer

 

We sat down with Derek to hear his professional take on the problems he and his peers face concerning aging asphalt pavements.

What are some of the current trends or changes you've seen in pavement management since you've been on duty here?

Derek – I think typically in the past there wasn't such an emphasis on shortage of funding so it was a practice of use the existing pavement 'til it's completely deteriorated (then) tear it up and put new back down. Recently the amount of existing pavement that is past its useful life is so broad and we have such a short fundage--short amount of funding--that tearing it up and repairing all the existing ones just isn't an option.

How are things different now (you touched on the limited budgets we have) and how have people dealt with roads in the past in maintenance and such? Has it been more reactive or proactive?

Derek – I would say it probably varies, but the majority of it has been reactive. When you do have a shorter budget you have some tough choices to make. A lot of times you try to use the existing pavement as long as you possibly can before replacement, and that's one way of looking at it, or the second way would be to utilize some of the existing strength of that pavement.

(Would you) say keeping a pavement flexible would be a benefit to helping survive some of the stress that's put on it?

Derek – Particularly if you have a flexible pavement like asphalt is, in order to make the life of it last longer, you want to keep it that way (flexible). It's not designed to be a rigid pavement. If it turns into one, then the lifespan of that (pavement) deteriorates.

We are a very rural community here. We have a lot grain carts, a lot of heavy equipment going back and forth on our roads. They (pavements) weren't necessarily designed for types of loads that are going over them currently. So heavy loads and weather are the two main factors in deterioration of our existing pavements.

So, we're trying as many ways to prolong the existing ones (pavements) as we possibly can. So to prolong the life of the existing pavement that we have so far, this GSB® was one solution we looked at to try to offset some of the replacement (cost) with extending the life of some of our paved roads here in the county. So far we are very happy with the product (GSB®).

GSB® Extends Pavement Life, and Our Customers are Saving REAL Money!

Proven by FHWA, FAA, NAVFAC, MDOT, and AZDOT research:
GSB® Asphalt Preservation Treatments can Save 10x over the Cost of 1 Asphalt Overlay!

The reality of the overwhelming costs of relying on a Worst-First Maintenance Strategy has left 60% of Jones County roads close to the end of their life-cycle. As in many counties, facing steep reconstruction costs and budget shortfalls, many engineers and decision-makers are looking for a better, more cost-effective strategy. See how GSB® was the strategy of choice for extending the roads of Jones County.

Derek Snead, P.E., Jones County Engineer.
"I’ve been working with the county for about 2 1/2 years now. We’re trying our best to keep up with the roads as best we can with the money we’ve got. Well, we have an extensive pavement system here in the county, about 150 miles of paved roads. Of those 150 miles, a chunk of them, over 60% are getting closes to the end of their life.

We obviously don’t have the funds to repair all the roads we want to. GSB® (Gilsonite Sealer Binder® Preservation Treatment) was one solution we looked at to try to offset some of the replacement (cost) with extending the life of some of our paved roads here in the county.

It (GSB®) was a very easy process. We did the project under traffic. It didn’t take very much time. (We found) GSB® penetrates deep into the existing pavement. That creates a flexible pavement which is what it was initially intended to be. It (GSB®) gets down deep into the pavement as opposed to just on the surface--it gets down into it and makes the whole thing flexible and kind of work together. Typically when we do sealants they’re more for cracks and the surrounding areas. This GSB® is more of a broader (application). It goes over the entire area. It protects from future cracks that aren’t maybe existing quite yet or are very small.

It (GSB®) seemed to to do the job it said it was going to do so far. So far, we are very happy with the product."