Plan ahead and save!
It’s different every year: the day the road restrictions are lifted and we can finally get to work undoing the damage that the winter has done. Extreme cold, ground-in dirt and salt, thawing snow, all have made their mark. The sooner we get to work, the better chance we have of 
repairing minor issues before they become major, and this can save you a bundle in the long run. Don’t wait to get started on your spring cleanup planning!
Once those restrictions are lifted our calendar gets jam-packed, so we encourage everyone to get in touch asap. Give us a call or drop a line.
Necessity, the mother of invention this Winter
This winter brought severe cold to many parts of the U.S., and DOTs have had to get plenty creative to keep up with the snowfall. According to Asphalt Magazine, new machines with ice-breaking attachments, innovative “tow plows” and potato juice have all played their part in getting us through this record-breaking season. Yes, potato juice was found by TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) to be a great, biodegradable ice-melter! See more in this interesting article about how creativity went to new heights, even as temps went to new lows.
Plan this winter for an easier spring!
The snow may be covering the asphalt but there’s still work to do during the chilly season. One thing we encourage people to do over the winter is think about their upcoming projects and talk to us with any questions. We can help you plan your asphalt project down to the last detail and also help you with estimates and budgeting. When the ice thaws we’re ready to roll!
Other winter activities include emergency pothole repair, smoothing out “tripping hazards” from heaving in pavement, and excess snow hauling. If your snow is piling up on your parking lot or roadway and the snowplows are having trouble finding more places to put it, get in touch! We’ll haul it away in a jiffy!
Like to drive big trucks and work with nice people? Allied is already accepting applications for next season and during the winter we talk to as many folks as we can. Allied, is looking for foremen (some experience required), operators, truck drivers, and 
laborers. A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) class “A” or “B” is preferred, but not mandatory.
Want to learn more? Get in touch any time, we’re here to answer any questions you have. You can also call 763-425-0575.
Happy Holidays!
Asphalt through the ages, a quick history.
One of this country’s earliest paving projects was the paving of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. This project used asphalt provided by a Trinidad Lake exporter, and reportedly the road lasted 11 years – not bad for pre-petroleum product. In the mid 1870’s refined petroleum asphalt was developed, and another huge advance was the introduction of a laboratory testing method first developed in France. Modern asphalt was tested and perfected in order to accommodate the booming automobile population. By 1910, refined petroleum dominated as the asphalt of choice.
Potholes are not a modern invention! Asphalt maintenance on a Pennsylvania highway, 1920.
In 1956 the demand for asphalt reached a record level when Dwight Eisenhower’s Federal Aid Highway Act provided for the most extensive highway infrastructure on the planet. The highways were largely built with asphalt, although some state highway departments opted for concrete. The modern highway system was born.
Today, asphalt still resembles these early formulas with the addition of binding agents that prevent rutting, provide more drainage and add durability. The benefits of asphalt are timeless: Rapid drying, good drainage and relative low cost make it the winning choice yesterday and today!
Thanks to From Liquid Lake to Superpave, the evolution of hot mix asphalt, an article which first appeared in Asphalt Contractor magazine, February 1999.
Celebrating the job(s) well done!
Allied celebrated the July 4th of July and a record summer with a hot grill, burgers and plenty of fixings. The party was a thank you to our hard-working team for making this summer possible. Despite a shorter season due to the weather, Allied has seen unprecedented growth this summer. A steady workload will keep us busy well into the fall. Thanks everyone!
Allied crews take a quick break before getting back to the blacktop!
Allied hits the pavement with one of our busiest work seasons yet!
Our crews are all over Minnesota this summer. Here are a few snapshots from folks in the field.
Chip sealcoating at Mystic Lake Casino
Finishing touches at Rosedale
Perfecting a University of MN parking lot
We’ll also be working on the Muller Theater parking lot for a blockbuster summer event!
Minnesota menace: Secrets of our pothole problem
Road crews dot the highways and streets during the summer. Although they add to frustrations and delays for drivers, they’re providing a crucial service: Saving our cars from shattering potholes! But why is Minnesota so prone to potholes in the first place? Here are a few clues.
- Extreme temperatures. The wide swings from below freezing to above 80 degrees in summer cause water to freeze and shift under pavement.
- Rain! Minnesota is known for snow, but we also get a lot more rain in the Spring than many places, creating soft, bog-like conditions.
- Unstable sub-soils. Minnesota is full of clay and swamp-land soils that erode from under roads and leave them weakened.
- Aging asphalt. Recent budget-tightening means asphalt is not being replaced as frequently.
Want to know more? Check out Anatomy of A Pothole prepared by Anoka County. And remember, give road crews a break and plenty of room. After all, they’re saving your shocks!
Chip sealcoating season!
Chip sealcoating is a great option for adding a tough new wear surface that also adds skid resistance. This process can triple the life of your asphalt. The surface combines a durable layer of hot oil with loose rock (chips). It’s all rolled into place for years of reliable use!
The steps
Patching and crack sealing. This should be done at least a week ahead of the chip sealing process to allow for complete curing of the crack seal or patch materials.- A thorough cleaning of the surface area so that adhesion is flawless
- Application of hot oil and aggregate materials. We use computerized chip spreaders for accuracy.
- Cleanup of excess chips and loose materials. This happens within a few days after we chip sealcoat if it’s a high traffic area. In low traffic areas, we like to wait a few weeks to allow for full curing before cleanup.
We specialize in chip sealcoating with minimum interruption to your business or traffic flow! Get in touch.
Busier than ever and still hiring!
We’ve started several municipal and commercial projects including the U of MN, Historic Fort Snelling and the city of Cottage Grove. Because of the short season this year we’re working at full capacity and are on the lookout for responsible workers to help us with our large workload. Check out our contact page for requirements and to get in touch about joining the team at Allied Blacktop.
Allied for a cancer-free tomorrow
Twenty years ago, the Cancer Shoot began as a way to combine sportsmanship and c
ommunity with the search for a cancer cure. Allied Blacktop was there 20 years ago, and continues to sponsor the shoot today. On March 13, Allied attended the 20th annual Cancer Shoot, and sponsored three pegs at the event. By the end of the day, the Cancer Shoot had raised more than $100,000 for the research spearheaded by Dan Saltzman at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Saltzman’s lab has navigated Phase I Human Testing and has moved to Phase II Human Testing with FDA approval. Funds from the Cancer Shoot go toward state-of-the art equipment and hiring the best scientists available for Dr. Saltzman’s ground-breaking research.
The Cancer Shoot is organized in part by Rob Evans, one of the hosts of the award-winning TV show, The Ultimate Hunt. Far from your average reality show, this innovative hit brings together hunters, doctors, and the race for a cure for cancer. Allied is proud to support Rob Evans, Dr. Saltzman and their important efforts.
CBL & Associates conference in Chattanooga, TN
The Allied team headed south to Chattanooga to attend CBL & Associates annual leadership conference. Every year leaders in building management, leasing and development meet and discuss innovations and the future of their industry. Allied was one of the sponsors and set up shop with a booth at the conference. “We talked to a lot of people about our assessment work,” said Allied executive Dan Smith, “many people don’t know that we don’t just do the work, we can also assess, get pricing, contract, plan and oversee large-scale projects.”
A shorter work season at Allied!
It’s been a long winter in Minnesota, which means we have less time to get everyone’s asphalt in ship shape. Please contact us to get on our schedule for fast, timely service:
• Assessments: Let the Allied crew come out and assess winter damage and repairs needed. Assessments are provided free of charge so we can give you a thorough estimate and plan.
• Asphalt repair: From minor cracks to complete resurfacing, Allied does it all.
• Budgeting: Contact us for help getting your numbers together and developing a maintenance plan for the year.
• Catch basin repair: With Spring rains on the way it’s more important than ever to make sure your catch basins are good to go. Thinking about a new or modified drainage system? Talk to Allied for complete design and installation services.
Potholes – is prevention possible?
Spring is pothole season in any state that has winter weather. When ice melts water gets trapped beneath asphalt and on
top of still-frozen ground. This water usually goes through a few cycles of freezing and expanding then melting and contracting, weakening the asphalt and eroding the subsurface. But is there any way to prevent potholes from forming in the first place?
The short answer is: Not entirely. Engineers are working on improved asphalt formulas every day, but in a state with extreme temperatures, asphalt is always going to be vulnerable to some degree. There are a few things you can do to protect your asphalt as much as possible:
- Check your drainage system! In the warmer months look for pooling or any other clues of improper drainage. This gives you an idea as to which areas won’t drain properly underneath the slushy snows of spring.
- Sealcoating provides a protective seal which helps prevent deterioration. It doubles or even triples the life of your asphalt.
- Use the best materials! We use CS-41 resurfacing asphalt emulsion sealers. It exceeds MNDot fog sealing requirements, and will give you longer lasting results. Don’t settle for cheap substitutes!
- Repair potholes and crack seal as needed to maintain the overall structural integrity of your parking lot, path or roadway. Cracks may look minor, but they can become a larger problem quickly. Stay on top of minor flaws for a stronger, longer lasting surface.
Contact us to start on Spring pothole repair right away!
ALLIED IS HIRING
We’re still hiring for our upcoming season! Allied is a growing company with on-the-job training and plenty of opportunity for advancement.
Qualifications:
• A clean driving record and verifiable work references
• Prior experience in the industry is a plus
• Class ‘A’ or ‘B’ commercial drivers license for those interested in driving or operating positions
• Willingness to perform manual labor and work as part of a team
• Desire for growth and opportunity
How to apply
Apply in person at our Maple Grove office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. You can also request an application and drop it off or mail it in.
Attn: Naomi
Allied Blacktop
10503 89th Avenue North
Maple Grove MN 55369
Minnesota Pollution Control recognizes Allied Blacktop
At Allied, we’ve been committed to the environment from the start. We’ve voluntarily implemented a number of initiatives like recycling all asphalt and using energy efficiency lighting throughout our headquarters.
As an industry leader, we’ve always banned the use of coal tar because of its carcinogenic content. Now the State of Minnesota has followed suit, implementing a full ban on coal-tar seal coats throughout the state. As part of that effort, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has provided a list of pledged contractors and more info about the ban here. We’re proud to be on the list
Contact us any time about what Allied is doing for the environment.
Spring asphalt prep starts! Hot mix available March 4th.
Get a jump on the rush and prepare for spring sweeping and asphalt repair today. Still under snow? Perfect! Now’s the time to have an Allied crew member come out to prepare your estimate, help with any budget questions and get you on schedule for the busy spring season.
Select asphalt plants are opening the first week in March, which means we can offer liability patching and temporary pothole repair as early as March 4th. Contact us to get on the list!
