'Rubber' mat under tarmac

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Tue 25 Sep 2007 22:36
'Rubber' mat under tarmac - Chris M
Locally to me a roundabout is being replaced by traffic lights. This involves some widening of the approach roads and new traffic islands being built.

I've noticed that before they lay the penultimate layer of tarmac, a 'rubber' membrane is laid. What's it for?
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Wed 26 Sep 2007 00:44
'Rubber' mat under tarmac - Lud
When the automobile becomes extinct, ballroom dancing will make a comeback.

When that happens, large tracts of unused road will recycle themselves, with the aid of a bit of french chalk, as wonderful sprung dancefloors.
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Wed 26 Sep 2007 00:44
'Rubber' mat under tarmac - David Horn
Is it the fancy new porous tarmac perhaps?
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Wed 26 Sep 2007 08:59
'Rubber' mat under tarmac - doctorchris
If it's anything like round here, it is to ensure that the roundabout becomes seriously flooded when it rains hard.
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Wed 26 Sep 2007 09:49
'Rubber' mat under tarmac - Vin {P}
It's so the water runs through the first porous layer of tarmac, keeping the surface drier, but runs off the road under the surface, to stop the foundations being undermined.

Don't remember where I read that, so I can't give you a reference.

V
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