https://www.rockroads.com RSS feeds for Rock Road Companies Inc 60 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/26/why-asphalt-quality-control-labs-matter-for-your-infrastructure-project#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=26 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=26&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/26/why-asphalt-quality-control-labs-matter-for-your-infrastructure-project Most people assume asphalt is asphalt—a commodity material that's basically the same regardless of where it comes from. That assumption costs municipalities, developers, and contractors millions in premature pavement failure every year. The reality: asphalt is a highly engineered material, and research and development determines whether your pavement lasts 15 years or 30.   What Asphalt Quality Control Labs Actually Do   Asphalt quality control labs don't do abstract work. It's the process of designing, testing, and optimizing asphalt mixtures for specific applications, traffic loads, and climate conditions. Custom Mix Design Every project has unique requirements. A residential street handles different loads than an interstate. A parking lot in southern Wisconsin faces different freeze-thaw cycles than one in northern Illinois. Quality labs develop custom asphalt mixes that account for: Expected traffic volume and weight Local climate and weather patterns Subgrade soil conditions Drainage requirements Project timeline and budget constraints Performance Testing Before asphalt reaches a job site, quality testing predicts real-world performance: Resistance to rutting (deformation under heavy loads) Cracking resistance in freeze-thaw cycles Moisture damage susceptibility Long-term durability and aging characteristics This isn't guesswork. It's materials science applied to infrastructure. Quality Control Quality labs establishes the performance benchmarks that quality control teams verify throughout production and installation. Every batch is tested against the standards developed in the lab.   Why In-House Quality Control Labs Create Better Infrastructure   Most paving contractors don't operate their own quality facilities. They rely on material suppliers to provide "standard" asphalt mixes and hope they perform as expected. The In-House Advantage When a company owns both the quality lab and production facilities: Accountability: The chemists designing your asphalt mix work for the same company laying it. No finger-pointing between material supplier and contractor. Customization: Standard mixes work for standard projects. Complex infrastructure demands custom solutions. In-house quality labs develop project-specific mixes optimized for your unique requirements. Speed: When issues arise or conditions change, in-house labs can reformulate and test new mixes in days instead of weeks. Innovation: Companies with their own quality labs invest in developing better materials because they directly benefit from improvements. Contractors dependent on external suppliers wait for innovation to trickle down.     Real-World Impact The difference between commodity asphalt and engineered asphalt shows up in: Pavement Life: Well-designed mixes engineered for specific conditions can double pavement lifespan compared to generic alternatives. Maintenance Costs: Asphalt that resists cracking and rutting requires less maintenance over its life, reducing total cost of ownership. Project Success: Municipalities avoid public complaints about premature failure. Developers avoid warranty claims. Contractors avoid costly rework. Climate Resilience: Custom mixes engineered for Wisconsin's freeze-thaw cycles perform significantly better than standard formulations designed for different climates.     What to Look for in an Infrastructure Partner If asphalt quality matters—and it does—how do you identify partners with genuine research capabilities? Ask about their lab: Do they own and operate their own quality labs facility? What testing equipment do they have on-site? How many certified technicians work in their labs? Ask about customization: Can they develop project-specific mix designs? How do they account for local climate conditions? What's their testing and verification process? Ask about integration: Does the same company that designs the mix also produce and install it? How do quality lab findings translate to quality control during production? Companies that actually invest in quality testing have detailed answers. Companies that outsource or skip quality testing give vague responses.     Fun Fact: Glow-in-the-Dark Roads Asphalt quality research have produced some surprising innovations. In the Netherlands, researchers developed photo-luminescent road markings that absorb sunlight during the day and glow for up to 10 hours at night—eliminating the need for electric street lighting in some applications. Other experimental projects include asphalt that generates electricity from traffic weight, temperature-adaptive mixtures that adjust to weather conditions, and recycled plastic-infused asphalt that's stronger and more sustainable than traditional mixes. While these innovations may seem futuristic, they started in quality and R&D labs similar to the ones developing custom mixes for infrastructure projects today. The same scientific rigor that creates glowing roads also creates asphalt performing reliably on your streets.     Asphalt Quality Control Labs Are Foundational Asphalt innovation, R&D and testing aren’t a luxury—it's the foundation of infrastructure you can trust for generations. The difference between pavement that lasts and pavement that fails often comes down to whether anyone engineered the material for your specific application. For municipalities managing tight budgets, developers building communities, and contractors staking their reputation on every project, partnering with a company that controls the entire process—from R&D through production, testing and installation—means better outcomes and fewer surprises. Rock Road Companies operates research and development facilities dedicated to evolving paving practices and advancing materials and methods. Our in-house labs develop custom asphalt mixes designed for southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois conditions, traffic patterns, and infrastructure requirements. When your project can't fail, the science behind the asphalt matters as much as the crew laying it. Contact Rock Road for infrastructure expertise from the ground up—from our quarries through our quality labs to your finished project.   About Rock Road Companies Since 1913, Rock Road has provided comprehensive infrastructure services throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. From our privately-owned quarries through our Quality Control Labs, asphalt plants, and expert construction crews, we control quality at every step. Rock Road’s parent company, WJK Holding Co., is one of the only companies that offer a state of the art and custom-built in-house quality control facility.   Analytics Rock Road Thu, 05 Mar 2026 23:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:26 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/19/how-pavement-helps-tune-out-traffic-noise#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=19 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=19&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/19/how-pavement-helps-tune-out-traffic-noise Anyone who’s ever lived near a busy street or highway can tell you that traffic noise can be a major nuisance. Fortunately, tuning out traffic noise is one of the many hidden benefits pavement has to offer. Let’s take a look at how pavement can help residents tune out the traffic and reclaim some peace and quiet.   Causes of Traffic Noise   When it comes to the causes behind noisy traffic, there are three main culprits: 1. Volume — It’s a bit of a no brainer, but the most obvious cause of more traffic noise is, well, more traffic. The busier the road, the louder it is. 2. Speed — A somewhat less obvious contributor to traffic noise is traffic speed. When vehicles travel at higher speeds, higher levels of noise are generated as a result. 3. Vehicle Size — Part of the reason highways tend to be noisier than busy city streets is because they are frequented by a larger number of heavy vehicles. Big, heavy, industrial vehicles like semis or dump trucks contribute way more traffic noise than standard passenger vehicles do.     How Pavement Helps Turn the Volume Down Traffic noise mitigation is something that road planning authorities in urban and suburban areas take several measures to try and improve. But, when those efforts aren’t enough on their own, that’s where paving lends a helping hand! Here are a few of the most effective ways traffic noise can be reduced: Regulated Vehicle Controls — Vehicles can be regulated in several ways in an effort to reduce the amount of traffic noise they contribute. Designs for a car’s tire treads, engine enclosure, fans, and muffler can all be altered to reduce noise. Better Land Management — Effective development near busy streets and highways can play an important role in mitigating traffic noise concerns. When new developments are planned, buffering distance — or the amount of space between the homes and the highway — and noise reducing building materials are important factors to consider. Route Planning — Certain design techniques can be used to reduce traffic noise while new roads are being planned out. Noise reducers like vegetation or barrier walls can be implemented to absorb some of the sound. Traffic routes can also be planned around noise-sensitive areas like schools or residential spaces. Making roads as flat as possible is also a way to limit noise, as flatter roads don’t require vehicles to “rev up” to handle inclines or slopes. Asphalt Road Designs — Using asphalt pavement for new roads is one of the most effective ways to limit the potential for traffic noise. Dense-graded hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavement is twice as quiet as cement or concrete. Open-graded friction course (OGFC) asphalt mixes can be particularly effective for reducing traffic noise because they are porous. In addition to absorbing more water runoff, porous roads also absorb higher levels of sound. Rubberized Asphalt Roads — As quiet as asphalt pavement already is, it can be made even quieter and more eco-friendly when it is rubberized. Pavement is rubberized when recycled tires are added to the asphalt mixture. When tested for noise, roads made of rubberized asphalt consistently show a 50%-90% reduction in noise in comparison to other types of pavement.   Rock Road’s Premium Paving Solutions From governments and city planners to contractors and asphalt mixers, all the stakeholders in a community play an important role in improving our roadways and reducing the impacts of traffic noise on nearby residents. By continuing to improve our route designs and the paving materials we implement for new roads, we can work together to find better ways to make our roadways more practical and peaceful for everyone. At Rock Road, we’re proud to use premium asphalt aggregates and innovative paving solutions for any and all repairs we make to the roads our communities depend on. And, because we source those materials from our own quarries, we’re able to create custom, top-of-line asphalt mixes and maintain the highest quality standards throughout our entire repair process.   Looking for an experienced partner to trust with your next project? Contact our team today and let Rock Road’s paving and infrastructure experts help you get things moving!  Analytics Rock Road Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:19 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/25/understanding-types-of-asphalt-a-guide-from-infrastructure-experts#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=25 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=25&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/25/understanding-types-of-asphalt-a-guide-from-infrastructure-experts If you're evaluating options for your paving project, understanding the differences between asphalt mix types is essential to making an informed decision. Hot mix, cold mix, and their variations each serve distinct purposes based on application, climate, and performance requirements. As infrastructure experts who control the entire asphalt paving process—from our own quarries to finished projects—we've produced and installed virtually every asphalt mix available. Here's what you need to know. The Basics: What Differentiates Asphalt Types? Did you know? Asphalt is the most recycled material in America—more than paper, glass, or plastic combined. Over 99% of asphalt pavement removed during reconstruction is reused in new pavements. The type of asphalt specified depends on climate conditions, anticipated traffic loads, application requirements, and project timing. As paving experts with over 100 years of experience in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, we help match these specifications to project needs daily.   Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA): The Industry Standard for Permanent Solutions Production and characteristics: Hot Mix Asphalt is produced at 300-350°F, combining heated aggregates from our quarries with liquid asphalt binder. The material is placed while maintaining elevated temperatures for optimal compaction. Optimal applications: New construction and reconstruction projects Commercial paving (parking facilities, access drives) Residential paving (driveways, private roads) High-traffic corridors Any permanent infrastructure solution Performance: When installed by experienced paving contractors, hot mix asphalt provides 20-30+ years of service with appropriate maintenance. It remains the standard for new construction across nearly all applications. Understanding specifications: Within hot mix asphalt, numerous formulations exist—from standard dense-graded mixes to high-performance specifications for heavy traffic or specialized applications. Recent innovations include Warm Mix Asphalt, produced at lower temperatures (200-250°F) to reduce energy consumption while maintaining performance. This is where working with experienced infrastructure experts matters: we match the right specification to your project requirements, considering traffic volume, load bearing needs, environmental conditions, and long-term performance objectives.   Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA): Understanding Temporary Solutions Production and characteristics: Cold Mix Asphalt uses specialized binders that remain workable at ambient temperatures, allowing year-round application without heating requirements. Appropriate applications: Emergency pothole repairs Temporary patches during winter months Remote locations where hot mix logistics are challenging Interim solutions until permanent repairs can be scheduled Critical distinction: Cold mix is a temporary repair solution, not permanent pavement. While essential for emergency maintenance—particularly during Wisconsin winters when hot mix production isn't available—it requires eventual replacement with hot mix for lasting results. Cost considerations: Understanding this temporary nature is critical for budgeting. Cold mix may seem economical initially, but it's not a substitute for permanent asphalt paving. Think of it as a band-aid rather than surgery—necessary in emergencies, but not a long-term solution. Many property owners treat cold mix as permanent paving, only to face recurring maintenance costs and deterioration. Working with knowledgeable paving partners helps you understand when each solution is appropriate.   Selecting the Appropriate Mix for Your Project For new construction or reconstruction: Hot Mix Asphalt is the appropriate choice for nearly all applications. The specific mix design depends on your traffic projections, environmental conditions, and performance requirements. Experienced paving experts match specifications to your project parameters rather than defaulting to one-size-fits-all solutions. Key questions we help you answer: What traffic volume and load types will this pavement handle? What's the expected service life and realistic maintenance budget? Are there environmental considerations like stormwater management? What climate factors affect performance in your location? For emergency repairs: Cold Mix Asphalt serves an important interim role, particularly in winter when permanent solutions aren't available. Understanding its limitations prevents unrealistic expectations and allows proper planning of permanent repairs. For long-term value: The most cost-effective approach is specifying the right hot mix formulation initially, then maintaining it properly. Temporary solutions typically cost more over the pavement's lifecycle.   The Rock Road Difference: Quality from Quarry to Completion We own our quarries: We produce asphalt from materials we mine at our privately-owned quarries throughout Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Many paving contractors purchase materials from suppliers. We are the supplier, controlling quality from the ground up. We control production: Our asphalt production facilities use aggregates we've extracted and processed to exact specifications. Every batch is tested in our in-house labs before leaving the plant. We guarantee results: From quarry through production to completion, we control every variable affecting your pavement's performance. This vertical integration means complete accountability. We provide transparent expertise: With over 100 years of experience across virtually every application, we provide honest guidance on appropriate specifications—not just what's easiest for us to install. We build for generations: Whether commercial paving or residential paving, we're partners in building infrastructure that communities can trust for generations. That's been our approach since 1919.   Ready to Discuss Your Paving Project? Understanding hot mix versus cold mix asphalt is the first step. The real value comes from working with paving partners who control quality from quarry to completion. Rock Road Companies has been helping communities grow from the ground up since 1919. As infrastructure experts providing comprehensive asphalt paving services, we bring both technical knowledge and practical experience to every project. Questions about which asphalt type is right for your project? Contact Rock Road Companies for expert guidance. Learn more: www.rockroads.com Rock Road Companies is Wisconsin and Northern Illinois' infrastructure expert. For over 100 years, municipalities, developers, and businesses have trusted us to deliver reliable results—from our quarries to your community, for generations.     Analytics Rock Road Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:46:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:25 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/18/quiz-yourself-how-much-do-you-know-about-job-safety#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=18 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/18/quiz-yourself-how-much-do-you-know-about-job-safety Safety is a number one priority at Rock Road. How much do you know about work zone safety? Take a trip down our Work Zone Safety Road to find out and freshen up your job safety skills!  Safety on the Job Did you know as of October 1, 2016, use of a hand-held mobile phone is illegal while driving through a work zone in Wisconsin, except to report an emergency? Drivers in violation can be fined. Hand-free devices are exempt from the law. Test yourself and learn more work zone safety by taking this WISDOT (Wisconsin Department of Transportation) work zone safety quiz. TAKE THE QUIZ   Safety at Home As you’re performing your fall maintenance at home, consider adding your home’s safety to your checklist. So, while you're cleaning out your gutters, also think about whether you have all the precautions and supplies in place in case of an emergency. Here’s an example of one of the many home safety checklists you can find online. VIEW CHECKLIST Analytics Rock Road Wed, 13 Nov 2024 21:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/16/can-you-recycle-asphalt#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=16 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/16/can-you-recycle-asphalt Your asphalt, paving, or construction projects may leave you with a lot of leftover materials to deal with. Instead of throwing them away or pushing them aside until they pile up and crowd your work site, learn how Rock Road can help you recycle and repurpose those materials for other projects.   Analytics Rock Road Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/17/october-mental-health-awareness-resources-for-construction-industry-workers#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=17 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/17/october-mental-health-awareness-resources-for-construction-industry-workers On October 10th we celebrated World Mental Health Day. An international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. As safety is our top priority at Rock Road, we wanted to share an important new resource regarding mental health in the construction trade. Wisconsin Construction Wellness Community (WCWC) is a new industry-focused organization that has been established to support mental health for Wisconsin construction companies and their associates. The WCWC website contains resources such as training, videos, and tips on dealing with mental health issues.   Analytics Rock Road Wed, 02 Oct 2024 20:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/24/rock-roads-12th-annual-golf-classic#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=24 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/24/rock-roads-12th-annual-golf-classic In September, Rock Road Companies and the Kennedy Family Foundation hosted our 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic at the Janesville Country Club! The weather was perfect, and it was a fun to spend a day on the golf course with such wonderful participants. We are thrilled to announce that we raised $221,550 through sponsorships, donations, and our lively auction! The majority of our Charity Golf Classic fundraising dollars will be donated in Bill Kennedy's name to the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville Capital and Endowment Campaign for a new building. The Kennedy Family Foundation will also donate to Project 16:49, GIFTS Men's Shelter, ECHO of Janesville, Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin, and CASA of Rock County.   Analytics Rock Road Wed, 25 Sep 2024 20:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/15/using-asphalt-to-repair-and-prevent-potholes#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=15 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/15/using-asphalt-to-repair-and-prevent-potholes Potholes are a plague on drivers just about everywhere. Learn what causes them, how they’re repaired, and how asphalt can prevent them from creeping back up down the road. Analytics Rock Road Fri, 23 Aug 2024 14:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/14/how-asphalt-paving-helps-communities#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=14 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/14/how-asphalt-paving-helps-communities What does asphalt paving do to help our communities? More than you may think! From everyday efficiency and safety to long term durability and sustainability, asphalt offers ideal paving solutions that benefit communities and civilians in a number of ways. Read on to learn how paving helps strengthen our roads, extends the life of critical infrastructures, and even helps people save money on fuel and travel expenses. Asphalt Helps Commuters Save These days, many of us have cut back on driving in an attempt to save a bit extra on travel costs. But, when the fuel economy for road vehicles gets tough, cutting back on driving time isn’t always enough. The good news? Asphalt is on your side. By reducing tire bounce and load impact, driving on smooth asphalt pavement can actually lower your vehicle’s fuel consumption. Overall, this reduces the amount of fuel road vehicles need to travel certain distances. So, in addition to extending the longevity and durability of the roads you depend on each day, asphalt paving can also extend the lifespan of your vehicle — and your travel budget! Additional Benefits of Asphalt Paving If helping communities and commuters save big on fuel economy, travel, and transportation costs wasn’t enough, asphalt paving offers a variety of other crucial benefits as well. Ultimately, asphalt paving solutions are ideal because they are proven to be more:   SUSTAINABLE - Unlike other paving materials, asphalt is 100% recyclable. Better yet, recycled asphalt is actually even stronger than new asphalt. At Rock Road, we proudly do our part to create more sustainable solutions by recycling and recirculating our asphalt paving byproducts and aggregates. EFFICIENT - Asphalt makes for fast installation and implementation. This not only means that your favorite local parking lots and residential spaces are never out of commission for too long, but it also ensures that your highways and other critical travel pathways can be maintained, repaired, and altered much more quickly. Asphalt is also incredibly durable, so a well-built road or lot will require minimal upkeep over the years. Simply put, that means more smooth driving and less time stuck in construction traffic! SAFE - In addition to being inherently strong and durable, asphalt is also skid resistant, proven to help reduce splash back, and offers drivers better visibility for highway, road, and lot markings. As an added bonus, snow, sleet, and ice melt much faster on asphalt surfaces, leading to fewer slips and falls for civilians and a reduced number of vehicle accidents in inclement weather or over the winter months. If you want to learn even more about the added benefits of asphalt paving, take a look at this helpful ebook published by the experts at the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA). You may wonder just how much of an impact smooth asphalt paving can have, but even small changes make a big difference when it comes to strengthening our infrastructures and making them more beneficial for the communities who rely on them. Putting Our Communities First Rock Road has worked hard to earn and maintain our reputation as a trusted asphalt paving partner. For more than one hundred years, our vetted teams of residential, commercial, and heavy highway contractors have diligently and passionately provided premium asphalt paving products and services along with the highest standards for quality testing in the industry.   Looking for an experienced partner to trust with your next project? Contact our team today and let Rock Road’s paving and infrastructure experts help you get things moving!     Analytics Rock Road Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/13/how-to-choose-the-right-paving-partner#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=13 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/13/how-to-choose-the-right-paving-partner In our many years as a trusted asphalt paving provider, we’ve learned a thing or two about what makes our partnerships— and any partnerships —successful. Here’s our advice on what to look for in your prospective service providers, the qualities that make for the strongest working relationships, and how to choose the best partner for you and your project. Wed, 10 Jul 2024 20:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/23/community-partnership-craftsman-with-character#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=23 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=23&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/23/community-partnership-craftsman-with-character This fall, Rock Road will continue our partnership with Forward Janesville in their Craftsman with Character Program. The Craftsman with Character Course is an accredited pre-youth apprenticeship program that starts with coaching and mentoring young minds to live life with a purpose. This June, Rock Road brought the Spring 2024 Craftsman with Character Students to visit our offices for one of their last classes of the semester. Josh Biddick taught students about our asphalt plant and gave them a tour of the lab. The group ended the day by testing out some construction equipment! The kids had a blast, and a few students, along with their teachers, said it was the perfect way to wrap up the semester! Here is a photo featuring the Craftsman with Character Students at Rock Road:   Analytics Rock Road Sun, 30 Jun 2024 20:06:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:23 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/22/woodmans-center-historic-groundbreaking#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=22 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/22/woodmans-center-historic-groundbreaking In February, Steve Kennedy, Rock Road's Vice President, attended the historic groundbreaking ceremony for the Woodman's Center. There were over 250 community members in attendance, including Wisconsin's Governor, Tony Evers and U.S. Senator, Tammy Baldwin. The Kennedy Family Foundation has committed their support to the Woodman's Center of Janesville! This facility will attract various sports teams, along with regional and national companies for meetings, conferences, and trade shows in Janesville. As part of their donation at the Legacy Level, the foundation has earned the naming rights to the Multi-Purpose Arena, which they plan to use as a tribute to Robert and Delores Kennedy, the parents of Bill, Bob, and Steve Kennedy. This gesture is a way to honor Robert and Delores for their contributions in building the success of Rock Road. Analytics Rock Road Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/20/rock-road-earns-napa-wapa-recognition#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=20 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=20&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/20/rock-road-earns-napa-wapa-recognition We are pleased to announce that Rock Road earned multiple awards from the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association (WAPA) and the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA). It’s an honor to receive recognition for our continued commitment to the environment, safety procedures and the communities we serve. Thank you to Gus Small and Ryan Spies who applied for these awards! WAPA Environmental Leadership Awards Rock Road earned two WAPA Environmental Leadership Awards for our Bituma Portable Asphalt plant and our Beloit Asphalt Plant! This award recognizes hot mix asphalt plants that have exceeded the already high environmental standards that are set for the asphalt industry. This award is given on a 3-year cycle and involves an onsite inspection from a WAPA representative. These inspections are very involved and cover criteria in the following categories: Environmental Compliance, Safety, Environmental Control Measures, Plant Appearance and Community Relations. Bituma Portable Asphalt Plant This was the first time we’ve applied for and received this award! Special thanks to Nick Achilli and Nate Ustianowski who both participated in the inspection. Beloit Asphalt Plant We initially received the award for the Beloit Plant in 2004, and have received it every year since! Special thanks to Adam Conroy and everyone else at the Beloit plant for their hard work in meeting and exceeding the criteria for this award. Also, thank you to Kelsey Kennedy, Athena Bayne, and Lori Ahrens for getting all the Community Relations documentation together. They were able to produce more than enough documentation in charitable donations and services. NAPA Diamond Awards Rock Road earned multiple NAPA Diamond Awards! The diamond awards document and recognize the use of best practices for asphalt plant operations, terminal operations, asphalt production and paving. These awards have an extensive list of criteria that must be met and the applications involve a 100 + questionnaire over several categories, pictures of the operations, and signed affidavits by third parties. Rock Road earned the following NAPA Diamond Awards: Diamond Achievement Commendation for Beloit, Monroe, Rockford, Wolf SP, Wolf MF, & Wolf JF This award covers operations in the manufacturing plant and around the plant site. Aspects addressed include appearance, operations, environmental practices, safety, permitting and regulatory compliance, and community relations. Thanks to all the plant personnel, and a special thanks to Louis Chaplinski and Josh Biddick for their help in meeting the criteria and getting the affidavits signed. Diamond Paving Commendation for Wisconsin & Illinois Paving The Diamond Paving Commendation is designed for paving crews. Areas evaluated include training of supervisors and crew members, use of best practices in paving, and compliance. Diamond Quality Commendation for the Beloit Plant The Diamond Quality Commendation involves the quality of the material produced. Areas evaluated include quality management, RAP and aggregate handling, asphalt storage, drying and mixing, air quality, truck scales, silos, and control rooms. Special thanks to Jake Amundson who answered the questionnaire and provided documentation for numerous certifications.   Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:20 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/7/delivering-bags-of-hope-fundraiser-a-success-thanks-to-those-who-helped#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=7 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=7&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/7/delivering-bags-of-hope-fundraiser-a-success-thanks-to-those-who-helped On Dec. 16, community members turned out to help students in Janesville through our Delivering Bags of Hope food delivery event. Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:7 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/6/tauscher-kennedy-family-foundation-on-the-hunt-for-charity#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=6 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/6/tauscher-kennedy-family-foundation-on-the-hunt-for-charity When can a successful pheasant hunt near Orfordville be beneficial to a 10-year-old boy or girl in Janesville? Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/5/i-9039-expansion-set-between-janesville-and-beloit#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=5 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/5/i-9039-expansion-set-between-janesville-and-beloit By early 2018, motorists driving a 14-mile stretch of Interstate 90/39 from Beloit’s north side to the north end of Janesville will see a major lane expansion project in full swing. Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/10/state-street-to-reopen-early#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=10 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=10&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/10/state-street-to-reopen-early After roughly two months of construction, State Street is set to reopen. Tue, 10 May 2011 17:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:10 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/9/years-later-gateway-boulevard-complete#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=9 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=9&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/9/years-later-gateway-boulevard-complete After almost a year of construction, the extension of Gateway Boulevard is now finished. The almost 1.8 mile stretch of stretch of Gateway Boulevard from Eagles Ridge Drive to Hart Road is planned to officially open to traffic by the end of the week - at which time arguably one of the City of Beloit's most major road-building projects since the Willowbrook extension will be complete, "This is a very signifcant project for the City of Beloit," City Manager Larry Arft said. "This Further enhances our ability to recruit and retain business in the community, opens up several more hundred acres that now have modern infrastructure in place, improves the marketability of the original Gateway site, and provides improved access to the Kerry campus." To celebrate the occasion, the City of Beloit will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Gateway Boulevard and Eagles Ridge Drive in the Gateway Business Park. The vision for what would eventually become the Gateway Business began over 10 years ago when the City of Beloit and MLG Development created a development plan for the land strategically located at the confluence of I-39/90 and I-43. The opening of Gateway Boulevard and it's connection to the interstate at Illinois Highway 75 was celebrated in July of 2003, and since then prominent tenants including the Staples Order Fulfillment Center and Kettle Foods have selected sites within the business park. Southeastern Container, Inc. and the new Kerry campus later moved into the site as well partly because of the infrastructure made available during earlier phases of the Gateway development, according to Arft. Now with the completion of the extension project, Arft said Beloit is in a better position to attract more businesses. "We needed to prepare for what we hope will be an improving economy," he said. "There's been nothing going on for the last two years in the U.S., but part of the motivation for this project is to position the city to be a player when companies start to expand and to make sure Beloit can be a contender for those projects - and that's what this does." Arft said the prospects for development in the Gateway Business Park have been "pretty thin" for the last two years, but the project's completion makes several hundred privately owned acres near the interstate north of the Gateway Business Park and wet of Townhall Road viable. Another 229 additional acres are also still available in the original Gateway site, according to the city's economic development director Andrew Janke. (Arft said Kerry owns an outlot on the east side of its campus, but he said Kerry has not made a decision yet regarding what to do with that property.) These area of land are now ready for development, according to Arft, because Gateway Boulevard has become a four-lane modern industrial road that will better accommodate traffic (especially for trucks) and it has modern utilities in place Plus, people now have direct access to the Gateway Business Park from I-43 "It's done now, and we will see a lot of people using it," Arft said. "It's convenient to get across the eastern part of the city, to get down quickly to Cranston (Road) and back to the heart of the city." The Gateway Project cost $10 million. About half of it was paid for by state and federal funds, according to Arft, and the remainder was funded from a TIF district in the City of Beloit. Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:9 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/11/i-90-widening-progresses#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=11 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/11/i-90-widening-progresses Interstate 90/39 is seen from the Elevator Road bridge near Roscoe Friday. The southbound lanes have been expanded to three lanes, while, to the right, the northbound lanes still are just two lanes. Plans are to make the interstate a six-lane road on both sides of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line. The $180 million widening construction project on Interstate 90 between the state line and Rockford is halfway done and on schedule for a 2009 completion, according to Illinois Tollway officials. For three weeks now, eastbound drivers have traveled on three newly constructed lanes on the 12 miles between the South Beloit Toll Plaza and State Street in Rockford. “The Illinois Tollway recognizes that keeping work in the corridor on track is critical to community leaders' efforts to attract new development and eliminate a major bottleneck for truckers and commuters in our region,” said Illinois Tollway Director and Rockford resident Carl Towns. Drivers still may face delays, though. According to the Illinois Tollway, portions of I-90 have faced overnight closures. Most recently, one lane in each direction between Illinois Route 173 and Prairie Hill Road closed for 12 to 16 hours beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. At midnight, the westbound lanes closed for 15 minutes. Daily construction alerts are available online at www.illinoistollway.com. The 16-mile Jane Addams Memorial Tollway project also includes the reconfiguration of the Cherry Valley interchange at I-90 and Interstate 39. Advance work on the interchange began in 2007, and mainline construction started last spring. Everything should be done by the end of 2009, according to the Illinois Tollway. The work on I-90 is part of the Illinois Tollway's Congestion-Relief Program, which Gov. Rod Blagojevich launched in 2005. The improvements - including rebuilding and expanding highways and converting 20 toll plazas to Open Road Tolling - should reduce travel times. Rumblings of widening I-90 on the Wisconsin side between the Stateline and Madison also have begun. Connections 2030, a long-range multimodal transportation plan created by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, includes the corridor between Beloit and Madison. According to a draft of the Beloit-to-Madison plan, the state plans to complete a corridor plan from the Stateline to U.S. Highway 12/18 in addition to studying a few interchanges. Depending on environmental documents, among other factors, future projects could include adding interstate lanes and reconstructing interchanges. It does not state a timeline for the I-90/39 project. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/12/work-crews-on-the-road-again#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=12 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/12/work-crews-on-the-road-again Stateline-area motorists can expect delays, detours. Beloit - It's deja vu all over again for Stateline-area motorists. Another road construction season is upon us, and there is no shortage of projects - large and small - in southern Rock and northern Winnebago counties. Nowhere is the impact more pronounced than in Clinton. On Monday, work began on a $2.33 million state project to reconstruct Wisconsin Highway 140 from Interstate 43 to just south of the village. "We're going to remove the pavement and curb and gutter from basically the north end of town all the way through town past the DeLong Co. (complex)," said Doug Sina, the state Department of Transportation's project leader. "We will also be replacing the subgrade... giving it a better roadbed structure. And concrete pavement will be laid all the way through the project." Last summer, the village replaced sewer lines on the same section of road in preparation for this year's project. That work dramatically impacted businesses located along Highway 140. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/8/written-in-stone#Comments 0 https://www.rockroads.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1119&ModuleID=1482&ArticleID=8 https://www.rockroads.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=8&PortalID=0&TabID=1119 https://www.rockroads.com/news/id/8/written-in-stone A new recipe for building highways could give contractors the chance to satisfy the public's appetite for higher quality roads at lower costs. When it completed a 4.5 mile section of Highway 11 between Footville and Orfordville last summer, Rock Road CompaniesTM of Janesville became the first contractor in the country to back up its work with a warranty. if problems - cracking, rutting or other types of pavement fatigue - develop along the stretch during a five-year period, it's Rock Road'sTM responsibility to fix them. Traditionally, county crews are contracted by the state to maintain state roads. The trade-off is that Rock RoadTM - and other contractors - have much more control of the project from the outset, said Stephen M. Kennedy, Vice President of Rock RoadTM. Three warranty projects were completed in Wiconsin this year. Besides Highway 11, projects were completed in Langlade and Eau Claire counties. Under a warranty-based specification process, the contractor makes a decision about asphalt mixes. The incentive for the contractor is to build a quality road that won't come back to haunt his pocketbook for repairs over the warranty period. Such a performance-based process could be the right tonic at a time when the country's infrastructure is in poor shape and fewer government dollars are available. "I've always been a firm believer that we understand quality better than the state DOT in that if you leave me alone, you're going to get a better product than a cookbook product," Kennedy said. "We're being asked to do more with fewer dollars and this is a way to do it and privatize what has typically been a government role." The process is a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association. Here's how it works" The DOT establishes specific performance criteria for the final product - the roadway. It is then the contractors responsibility to develop a mix that'll meet the criteria. Historically, the state has dictated the exact asphalt mix to be used, hence the reference to "cookbook recipes." Because the contractor is in charge, he is able to use cost effective ways to get his job done and is free to try new ideas. "It's an innovative way to do something differently than we have in the past," said Kennedy, who has spoken on the topic in several states. Gary Whited, the DOT's director of construction, said taxpayers benefit because the state's cost of engineering and overseeing the project is reduced. Whited said the three projects completed this year cost about 5 percent more than traditional projects. "I think we got a better quality pavement on those three projects," Whited said. " Of course, that's very subjective. But overtime, i think that will be the case." In the long run, Whited thinks the cost of the warranty projects will cost the state less because contractor will be more cost effective. "It's a very new concept," Whited said. "But I think it is an example of (the state) becoming more streamlined, more responsive." Other, however, aren't as excited about warranty roadwork. Detractors say such a process will ruin the country's low bid system, which gives both big and small contractors to bid a job. The cost of bonding, or insurance, necessary to cover maintenance costs also work against smaller contractors, the detractors argue. But Kennedy said the warranty process could actually increase competition. "For those that are in this business for the long haul, (this process) will provide opportunities," he said. "A contractor may know he's small, but he may also know that he can do the job better, so doors will open." "Bonding companies are not big fans of this," Kennedy said. "They're not sure where the liabilities lie. It's just so new, they're not sure how to rate contractors." Kennedy said the state may step in and rate a contractor the bonding companies won't touch. Either way, the performance based method of building roads is in its infancy. Kennedy expects more contractors will give it a shot in 1996. "I don't know that I want to do 50 of these projects," he said. "I don't know that it's the right thing to do, it's just so new." Mon, 18 Dec 1995 19:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:8