It's called LEA, low emission asphalt and the only difference you might notice is no smoke or pervasive odor during the paving process. And Suit-Kote Corporation says their new process takes 30 to 40 percent less energy to make it, the asphalt lasts 10 to 20 percent longer on the road and the process produces fewer emissions.

"This asphalt right here is produced at much lower temperatures so a lot less emissions are put into the atmosphere. We've been able to reduce emissions in this process by anywhere from 25 to 95 percent,” said Brian Renna, Director of Corporate Relations, Suit-Kote Corp.

The fact that it uses less energy to make this asphalt has gotten the attention of the city of Syracuse.

Low emission asphalt

We drive along our streets and highways without giving much thought to the pavement beneath but the traditional method for making asphalt is not very eco-friendly. Now, there is a way to make blacktop green. Terry Ettinger has more.

Low emission asphalt is also prompting calls from California, Pennsylvania and other state and can be adapted to work in different climates.

"Correct, I mean we have to work with the specific states to come up with certain mix designs and understand their mixing procedure but we are saying this process is very easily adaptable to many states with very minor modifications to their hot mix plant,” said Paul Suits, Vice President Suit-Kote Corp.

Now back to what we casual observers might notice. Lowering temperatures by 50 to 100 degrees to make and pave this asphalt means less smoke and fumes bothering workers and … .

"By reducing those temperatures, we virtually eliminated all the odors typically associated with hot mix asphalt which makes for a better relationship with our community as well,” said Greg Harder, Vice President McConnaughay Technologies.

So far, low emission asphalt has been tested on roads in Cortland and Onondaga Counties.