A life-cycle cost comparison between asphalt and concrete convinced Dawson County, NE, to select concrete paving for a 9-mile road and bridge project which is nearing completion. In March, engineering consultant Miller & Associates of Kearney, NE, presented the county board with a comparison of a 30-year, 6-inch undoweled concrete overlay design versus a 4-inch asphalt resurfacing design which included a 2-inch mill-and-fill at Year 15. The initial cost estimate was $2.3 million for asphalt and $3.1 million for concrete. PCA partner Bill Cook, Nebraska Concrete Paving Association executive director, assisted by providing Miller & Associates with concrete overlay design and construction information, including costs from other Nebraska county overlay projects. Life-cycle cost drove the county’s decision, which considered both annualized construction and expected increased maintenance cost of asphalt.