"Aggregate is the primary product used in asphalt construction. There's no reason to haul away good aggregate when all it needs is to be reconditioned (recoated) with a fresh asphalt additive," Faster says. "When municipalities find out they can achieve 30 percent more road surface coverage with the Hot-in-Place process and have a road surface that will last as long as a mill and fill road, it generally becomes a pretty easy decision."

"We're also finding that agencies really like the fact that the process is less disturbing to the community and produces minimal traffic problems because it's a moving process that our crews complete within a day or two," adds Patrick Gallagher, vice president of marketing.

That's not to say that Hot-in-Place recycling sells itself. For agencies who have tried it, the benefits have been realized and they'll continue to make use of the preventive maintenance approach where it's appropriate. But Gallagher Asphalt realizes it still has its work cut out in converting the skeptical into believers. Even though there are only about two dozen asphalt contractors across the country that offer Hot-in-Place recycling, Gallagher has to continue to sell the benefits over traditional reconstruction methods. Undoubtedly, agencies will continue to evaluate ways to maximize their budgets and still deliver a quality road to the taxpayers.