Texas roadway partially melts in heat, officials say

CROCKETT, Texas – A roadway in Crockett, Texas, grew so hot on Monday that the roadway was “bleeding” asphalt.

The asphalt located at SL 304 from SH 21 East to the concrete pavement at SH 7 East was “just bleeding” and no vehicles were affected, Texas Department of Transportation (Lufkin) said in its Facebook post.

The roadway didn’t close, but slowed traffic in the area as workers applied lime water. Temperatures were around 100 degrees across Texas on Monday.

“Asphalt bleeding, also called flushing, looks like a thin film of shiny, reflective liquid or oil on the asphalt surface, usually appearing during hot weather,” Stripe A Lot, an asphalt business explained in a blog post. “It may look like the asphalt is wet or like someone spilled motor oil on it, but in actuality the liquid is made of asphalt binding agents that have ‘bled’ to the surface of the pavement. This bleeding can reduce vehicle traction and impact driver visibility on the road (as it is extremely reflective at night) and it should be removed if it occurs.”

Officials said the roadway is now clear and open for travel. However, officials said, “Should the heat become excessive in any area, we will again treat with water in an effort to cool the surface.”

Many people had fun with the Facebook post, including Harris County meteorologist Jeff Linder, who wrote, “I guess it is hot….”

Yes, Jeff, it certainly is.

This isn’t the first time that workers have applied lime water to cool down roadways in the area. In 2017, heat led to similar efforts, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported.