Can Saskatoon build roads that withstand the winter? This researcher wants to find out.

WATCH: A University of Saskatchewan researcher is exploring new ways to build roads that can better withstand cold Prairie winters.

A University of Saskatchewan researcher is exploring new ways to build roads that can better withstand the cold Prairie winters.

Haithem Soliman, an associate professor of engineering, is examining how different asphalt mixtures could improve durability.

“We’ll be looking at what happens if we build roads at a colder temperature and how this affects the performance,” Soliman told CTV News.

Using specialized testing facilities that can mimic the freeze-thaw cycles, Soliman and his research team will study how different asphalt mixes perform.

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By developing asphalt that can be laid and compacted in colder temperatures, the construction season could be extended — leading to longer-lasting roads with fewer cracks and potholes.

“If you start with good quality construction, you’ll have a good quality road. You’re reducing the chance of damage to the whole surface,” Soliman said.

While this type of research isn’t new, it’s the first time it’s being tested for Saskatchewan-specific conditions.

The research is still in the early stages. The goal is to first prove the concept in a lab, before eventually testing it on a small section of Saskatoon roadway.

“We’ll select a few hundred metres within the city and try this new product, or new technology, or whatever the outcome that will come from this research,” Soliman said.