NAPA Part 02: Milling: Setting the Stage for Pavement Performance

Every great pavement starts with the surface underneath it. Milling does far more than remove old asphalt: it restores grade and drainage, creates the texture the next layer needs to bond, and sets the stage for tack, paving, and compaction. When milling goes wrong, even the best paving crew can’t fully recover. Join Tom Chastain, Milling Product Manager at Wirtgen America, for a foundational look at why milling matters. You’ll learn how depth selection, drum condition, texture, and cleanliness shape pavement performance, and you’ll leave with a practical checklist for evaluating a milled surface before the tack truck arrives. Attendees will be able to: – Explain how milling quality affects bonding, smoothness, density, and long-term pavement performance – Describe how milling decisions influence construction efficiency, rework risk, and overall project cost – Evaluate milled surfaces for ride quality, texture, and cleanliness prior to tack application – Recognize milling practices that reduce waste, preserve pavement value, and support sustainable outcomes.