Paving the Way to Excellence
Every year, the Maryland Asphalt Association partners with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration to tour the top asphalt paving projects nominated across the state. In November, a team of seasoned asphalt pros loads up and heads out to see the work firsthand. They’re looking at the details that matter: workmanship, ride quality, joints, surface texture, and how cleanly the new pavement ties into the old. No shortcuts. No guessing. Just boots on the ground and a hard look at the finished product.
In 2025, we received 63 entries spanning county and state roads, primary and secondary systems, interstates, and private lots. From that field, 14 outstanding projects were recognized at the 62nd Annual Paving Conference. You’ll find the winners listed below.
Keep an eye out this fall for details on the 2026 Excellence in Paving Awards submissions.
The 2025 winners are:
- Primary Resurfacing Award – SO228C58/XY8195177 — US 13 NB — Pocomoke River to N. of Costen Rd. (Owner: SHA District 1)
The US 13 northbound project, from the Pocomoke River to north of Costen Rd., received the 2025 Primary Resurfacing Paving Award for its exceptional paving quality and performance.
Completed in June 2025, the four-mile project included placement of 6,000 tons of a one-inch High-Performance Thin Overlay (HPTO).
The finished pavement achieved an IRI of 38, demonstrating tremendous ride quality and excellent compaction. Well-executed tie-ins and construction joints helped ensure a smooth and durable roadway throughout the project.
- Secondary Resurfacing Award – CO389B51/XQ9055377 — MD 16 — Pinetown Rd. to Beauchamp Branch Rd. (Owner: SHA District 2)
The MD 16 project, from Pinetown Rd. to Beauchamp Branch Rd., earned the 2025 Secondary Resurfacing Paving Award for its quality workmanship and performance.
Completed in August 2025, the 2.7-mile project included milling and placement of 4,300 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 9.5mm mix with 45% RAP.
The finished pavement delivered excellent ride quality and compaction, with well-constructed tie-ins and construction joints ensuring a smooth, durable roadway.
- Primary Resurfacing Award – CA498C52/XQ9045177 — MD 4 SB — Old Town Rd. to MD 263 (Owner: SHA District 5)
The MD 4 southbound project, from Old Town Rd. to MD 263, earned the 2025 Primary Resurfacing Paving Award for its high-quality paving and overall performance.
Completed in April 2025, the 2.25-mile project included milling and placement of 5,900 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 12.5mm mix.
The finished roadway delivered excellent ride quality and compaction, with well-executed tie-ins and construction joints contributing to a smooth and durable pavement.
- County Resurfacing Award – ITB 2025-057 — Christiana Parran Rd. — Dalrymple Rd. to MD 201 (Owner: Calvert County Dept. of Public Works)
The Christiana Parran Rd. project, from Dalrymple Rd. to MD 201, was recognized as the top County Resurfacing Paving Award winner for 2025.
Completed in September 2025, the two-mile project included placement of 2,800 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 9.5mm mix with 20% RAP.
The finished roadway achieved 94% density and delivered excellent ride quality and compaction. Careful attention to tie-ins and construction joints helped ensure a smooth, durable pavement throughout the project.
- County Resurfacing Award – DPW&T 140371 — Saint Johns Rd. — MD 245 to Brown Rd.(Owner: St. Mary’s County Dept. of Public Works & Transportation)
The Saint Johns Rd. project, spanning from MD 245 to Brown Road, earned the 2025 County Resurfacing Paving Award for its high-quality paving and efficient completion.
Crews completed the 1.6-mile project in just four days in October 2025, placing 5,000 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 9.5mm mix with 20% RAP.
The finished roadway demonstrated excellent ride quality and compaction, with outstanding tie-ins and construction joints contributing to a smooth, durable pavement.
- County Subdivision Resurfacing Award – 25000485 — University Dr. Loop (Owner: Charles County Dept. of Public Works)
The University Drive Loop project earned the 2025 Subdivision Resurfacing Paving Award for its exceptional workmanship and quality results.
Completed in March 2025, the two-mile project included milling and placement of 4,000 tons of asphalt using a two-inch surface course with a 9.5mm mix. The finished pavement achieved a density of 93.5% and delivered outstanding ride quality and compaction.
Attention to detail at construction joints and tie-ins helped ensure a smooth, durable roadway throughout the project.
- Maryland Masterpiece Award – CL490B51/XQ9065277 — MD 27 — Nicodemus Rd. to Bond St. (Owner: SHA District 7)
The MD 27 project, from Nicodemus Rd. to Bond St., earned the 2025 Maryland Masterpiece Award (the highest-rated project) for its outstanding paving quality and overall execution. It will be nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Masterpiece Award.
Completed in August 2025, the 4.21-mile project included milling, patching, wedge and level, and placement of 24,200 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 12.5mm mix.
The finished pavement achieved an IRI of 46, delivering excellent ride quality and compaction. Exceptional construction joints and tie-ins helped ensure a smooth, long-lasting roadway.
- Asphalt Sustainability Award – HO548B5C/XY9135177 — MD 144A — MD 32 to MD 97 (Owner: SHA District 7)
The MD 144A project, from MD 32 to MD 97, earned the 2025 Sustainability Award for its efficient use of recycled materials and high-quality paving.
Completed in July 2025, the 3.8-mile project included milling, patching, wedge and leveling, and placement of 13,600 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 12.5mm mix. The project incorporated 28% RAP in the surface mix and 30% RAP in the wedge and level course.
The finished pavement achieved an IRI of 74 and delivered excellent ride quality and compaction, with well-executed construction joints and tie-ins ensuring a smooth, durable roadway.
- Primary Resurfacing Award – HO548C5G/XY9135177 — MD 32 — MD 144A to MD 99 (Owner: SHA District 7)
The MD 32 project, from MD 144A to MD 99, was recognized as the top Primary Resurfacing Paving Award winner for 2025.
Completed in September 2025, the 1.25-mile project included milling, patching, and placement of 8,000 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 12.5mm mix.
Despite challenging maintenance of traffic conditions with multiple intersections and weaving movements, the finished pavement achieved excellent ride quality and compaction. Careful attention to tie-ins and construction joints ensured a smooth, durable roadway.
- Local Resurfacing Award – CL490A53/XQ9065277 — MD 800 — MD 75 to MD 75 (Owner: SHA District 7)
The MD 800 project, from MD 75 to MD 75, was recognized as the top Local Resurfacing Paving Award winner for 2025.
Completed in April 2025, the 1.5-mile project included milling, wedge and level, and placement of 4,100 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 12.5mm mix.
The finished pavement achieved an IRI of 85, reflecting excellent ride quality. Strong compaction, along with well-executed tie-ins and construction joints, resulted in a smooth and durable roadway.
- Secondary Resurfacing Award – CO435A57/XY9055277 — MD 306 — Liberty Church Rd. to Delaware State Line(Owner: SHA District 2)
The MD 306 project, from Liberty Church Rd. to the Delaware State Line, received the 2025 Secondary Resurfacing Paving Award for its high-quality paving and overall performance.
Completed in August 2025, the three-mile project included milling, wedge and level, and placement of 8,000 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 9.5mm mix with 32% RAP.
The finished roadway delivered excellent ride quality and compaction, with well-executed tie-ins and construction joints contributing to a smooth, durable pavement.
- Secondary Resurfacing Award – CL410C53/XY9065177 — MD 30 BUS — MD 30 Bypass to North Woods Trail Rd. (Owner: SHA District 7)
The MD 30 BUS project, from MD 30 Bypass to North Woods Trail Rd., was recognized as the top Secondary Resurfacing Paving Award winner for 2025.
Completed in January 2025, the 0.9-mile project included milling, patching, and placement of 5,000 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 12.5mm mix.
The finished pavement achieved an IRI of 77, reflecting excellent ride quality. Strong compaction and well-executed tie-ins and construction joints helped deliver a smooth, durable roadway.
- County Resurfacing Award – SCON-10000414-3 — Old York Rd. — Manor Rd. to Paper Mill Rd. (Owner: Baltimore County Dept. of Public Works & Transportation)
The Old York Rd. project, from Manor Rd. to Paper Mill Rd., received the 2025 County Resurfacing Paving Award for its quality workmanship and successful rehabilitation of a challenging roadway.
Completed in August 2025, the 2.5-mile project included patching and placement of 8,400 tons of a two-inch surface course using a 12.5mm mix with 20% RAP.
Despite a challenging subbase and deteriorated PCC conditions, the finished pavement achieved excellent ride quality and compaction, along with well-constructed tie-ins and construction joints that ensured a smooth, durable result.
- County Reconstruction Award – H583501 — Oakwood Rd. / Old Mill Blvd. Roundabout (Owner: Anne Arundel County Dept. of Public Works)
Completed in April 2025, the Oakwood Rd. / Old Mill Blvd. Roundabout project earned the 2025 County Reconstruction Award for its outstanding quality and execution.
The project included placement of 2,000 tons of asphalt featuring a 1.5-inch surface using a 9.5mm mix with 27% RAP, along with base and wedge/level work.
The finished pavement delivered excellent ride quality and compaction, while careful attention to construction joints and multiple tie-ins resulted in a smooth, durable final product.