Building a Thriving Asphalt Pavement Ecosystem

By Harold Mullen, CEO, Texas Asphalt Pavement Association

When I think about the work we do every day, one phrase always comes to mind: quality for the traveling public. That’s what it all comes down to — the men, women, and families who rely on our roads to get where they need to go safely and smoothly. And quality doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when dedicated people come together with a shared purpose, clear communication, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

That’s exactly why I am so proud to introduce APEX — a TxDOT Quality Initiative for Asphalt Pavements. APEX isn’t a one-time program. It’s a perpetual commitment. It means that industry and TxDOT are standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder, providing training, tools, and education so that from planning to design, from materials to construction, and on through maintenance, every part of the process is connected.

Communication is at the heart of this. In today’s world, the art of communication has taken a hit. Too often, we find ourselves working in silos, relying on emails or reports instead of genuine, face-to-face conversations. But to build the best roads possible, we have to talk to each other — openly, honestly, and often. That means pre-paving meetings, daily debriefs, and post-project reviews. It means sharing both our successes and our challenges, so we can keep raising the bar together.

I often think of this as an ecosystem for asphalt pavements—a decision made in design ripples through materials selection, construction practices, and, eventually, maintenance. If one link in the chain is weak, the entire system feels it. On the other hand, when each part of the process is done well — when designers, contractors, engineers, and maintenance crews all communicate and collaborate — the results speak for themselves: long-lasting, high-quality roads that serve Texans well.

I’ve been in this business a long time, and I know one thing for certain: we cannot do it alone. Industry cannot do it alone. TxDOT cannot do it alone. Our CEI partners cannot do it alone. But together, through APEX, we can achieve something greater than the sum of our parts — roads that reflect the very best of our shared commitment to excellence.

So as we roll out APEX, I want to thank each of you for the role you play in this work. This program is for you, for me, and ultimately, for every person who drives our roads. Let’s make them proud.