Small towns and big cities are built with, connected by and maintained with aggregates. Construction aggregates are the basic building blocks upon which society is built. Today’s infrastructure – our roads, bridges, highways, airports, utilities, hospitals and more – are built using limestone, gravel, sand and crushed concrete.
Aggregates provide the foundation for the world’s infrastructure. On average, 38,000 tons of aggregates are necessary to construct one lane mile of interstate highway. Additionally, construction of the average home requires 400 tons of aggregate, while the average size school or hospital requires 15,000 tons.
Did you know more than 90 percent of asphalt pavements and 80 percent of concrete are aggregates? According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in the construction of interstate highway, natural aggregates—crushed stone, sand, and gravel—account for 94% of the materials used, with cement (3%), asphalt (2.2%), and steel (0.4%) making up the rest.
Infrastructure is crucial to the growth of any populated area. The ability to quickly and safely transport citizens to school, work, hospitals and public spaces is hugely beneficial for a country, and its economy. The importance of infrastructure is exceptionally wide ranged – and the role of aggregates in rebuilding infrastructure is a vital one.
However, much of the infrastructure in the US was built during the 1950’s and 1960’s and has begun to deteriorate. In many areas of rapid population growth, the infrastructure is becoming inadequate. As such, new roads, streets and sewage systems must be built to meet the increased needs. Restoration of an aging transportation infrastructure in the United States will require the availability and production of a substantial amount of aggregates.
Shoreline offers quality aggregates to meet your project’s specifications. We deliver materials that are tested, sized and graded to assure quality materials for construction project or maintenance of roads. Our IDOT, INDOT & MDOT aggregates are ready to assist in maintaining and expanding the infrastructure in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Shoreline Delivers
With over 35 years of experience, Shoreline’s materials meet the highest Department of Transportation specifications with superior customer service. Contact us today to discuss your delivery.
Aggregate Industry Highlight
(data from Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration)
- Nearly two-thirds of the non-fuel minerals mined each year in the United States are aggregates.
- Each job in our industry supports nearly 5 jobs in the general economy.
- Every state in the U.S. produces aggregates
- Our industry accounts for up to 600,000 jobs.
