Concrete Overlays & Inlays
Extend the life of your roadway.
Use concrete overlays to preserve existing investment and deliver long-term pavement performance.
Concrete overlays play a vital role in asset and pavement management because they leverage the investment and equity already committed to an existing roadway while taking advantage of concrete’s longevity and durability.
Why concrete overlays
A practical strategy for pavement preservation and renewal.
Concrete overlays build on the existing roadway foundation while providing a durable concrete surface designed for long service life.
Use the existing foundation
Concrete overlays capitalize on the structural integrity of the entire existing pavement foundation.
Improve safety
They provide a structural upgrade that enhances surface friction and improves safety.
Extend service life
Overlays are typically designed to extend the life of a pavement by about 30 years and can be designed to last even longer.
Limit maintenance costs
Concrete overlays help limit ongoing maintenance costs over the life of the roadway.
Install efficiently
With advancements in technology and construction, installation times can be comparable to asphalt.
Fit many conditions
They are suitable for city streets, county roads, highways and parking lots, and can be used whether the existing pavement is in good or poor condition.
How overlays and inlays work
A new concrete layer configured for the existing pavement.
Concrete overlays involve placing a new concrete layer on top of an existing asphalt, concrete or composite roadway. They can be configured to work with many types of existing roads and road profiles.
National Concrete Pavement Technology Center, used with permission. Fick et al. 2021.
Milling can support elevation changes.
A portion of the existing pavement can be milled off when an elevation change is needed.
Inlays can preserve the original elevation.
When the road’s original elevation is preserved, the process is sometimes referred to as a concrete inlay.
Inlays can target specific constraints.
Concrete inlays preserve overhead clearances, offer flexibility to target single lanes and can be configured to maintain existing curb and gutter systems.
The CP Tech Center’s Guide to Concrete Overlays provides detailed information on milling, removal and replacement scenarios.
Open the Guide to Concrete OverlaysField applications
Built for a range of roadway settings.
Concrete overlays can be applied to existing asphalt or composite pavements and are suitable for city streets, county roads, highways and parking lots.
Resources
Information to support data-driven, budget-friendly infrastructure plans.
ACPA provides comprehensive resources to help your agency implement data-driven, budget-friendly infrastructure plans. Select a button below to access technical publications, design guidelines and proven case studies.
Guide to Concrete Overlays
Detailed CP Tech Center guidance on concrete overlay design and milling, removal and replacement scenarios.
Open GuideGeneral Information & Guidelines
Introductory information and guidance for agencies evaluating concrete overlays and inlays.
Learn MoreComprehensive Resources
Technical publications, design guidelines and proven case studies to support overlay implementation.
Learn More