New York Avoided Rubber-Modified Asphalt on Long Island

The state transportation department has opted against utilizing rubber-modified asphalt for regional paving projects.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Car Maintenance

Isometric editorial illustration of a textured asphalt road cross-section placed beside a pile of recycled rubber tire crumbs. — The New York State Department of Transportation has consistently declined to incorporate rubber-modified asphalt in recent road projects across Long Island. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local governments prioritize using recycled rubber-modified asphalt to improve road durability and maintenance?

In recent years, the New York State Department of Transportation has refrained from using rubber-modified asphalt for road projects on Long Island. This material, which incorporates ground-up recycled tires into the asphalt binder, remains unused despite being permitted for use by the state.

Why it matters

While the state permits the use of performance grade rubber-modified asphalt, officials have consistently bypassed it for local paving work. Decisions regarding paving materials are balanced against factors including product availability, traffic demands, and environmental considerations.

Roads constructed with rubber-modified asphalt are projected to last up to 40% longer than those made with traditional materials. This product utilizes ground-up recycled tires to provide flexibility, allowing pavement to compress under heavy weight.

The players

New York State Department of Transportation

This government agency oversees the development and maintenance of transportation infrastructure across the state.

The details

Rubber-modified asphalt works by adding recycled tire particles to the binder that holds pavement together, creating a surface that can bounce back after pressure. While California and Arizona have utilized this technology for decades, and New Jersey and New York City have adopted it, the state agency has not followed suit for Long Island projects.

In recent years, the NYSDOT has not utilized rubber-modified asphalt on Long Island.

Roadmap

The absence of rubber-modified asphalt marks a departure from the performance grade standards established by the New York State Department of Transportation. While other regions are testing recycled tire composites to improve infrastructure, New York's specific regional procurement approach remains grounded in traditional asphalt sourcing.

Residents may see traditional paving materials used on their local roads rather than longer-lasting rubberized alternatives. This selection process ultimately dictates the frequency of necessary road repairs and maintenance cycles in the area.

The takeaway

Rubber-modified asphalt offers a potential boost to road durability by leveraging recycled materials. Future infrastructure longevity in the region depends on whether state agencies decide to integrate these recycled components into their standard paving contracts.