European Concrete Highways

Germany has constructed many concrete pavements since the 1920’s, mostly on the autobahn (freeway) system and at airports. Bus stops constructed of concrete were observed in Berlin. The Study Tour observed firsthand many original sections of the German autobahn system in the former east Germany constructed with concrete in the 1930’s. Many of these original pavements are carrying heavy traffic today, although they are quite rough and many of them are under major rehabilitation. Fifty years of no maintenance has left these pavements in deteriorated condition, and Germany is making a huge effort to rebuild all of these highways to link all areas of the country, which they feel is vital to their economic growth.