Albuquerque Asphalt and 4Rivers Equipment: Working Partners for New Mexico

Albuquerque Asphalt, one of New Mexico’s premier pavers, is setting a new standard in road construction with its groundbreaking work on New Mexico State Road 104. Known for their reliability, innovation and year-round dedication, the company is now leading the charge in sustainable, efficient paving practices. Working Partners for New Mexico like Albuquerque Asphalt demonstrate what’s possible when innovation meets dedication.

“We’re pavers. That’s what we do,” says General Superintendent for Albuquerque Asphalt, Jacky Spencer. “We do what we say. We do good work.”

Innovation on the Move

Albuquerque Asphalt has long been a leader in adopting new technologies. One of their most notable achievements is introducing foamed asphalt to New Mexico—a process that wasn’t in use until the company collaborated with the Department of Transportation to write the state’s specifications. Since then, foamed asphalt has become a staple across the region. Their approach emphasizes the importance of effective Working Partners for New Mexico’s infrastructure.

Now, the company is taking innovation further with the use of the Wirtgen W 380 CRi, a cutting-edge machine that enables full-depth reclamation (FDR). This process recycles existing road materials in place, eliminating the need for traditional grading crews and significantly reducing project timelines.

“It probably saves 25 percent of the contract time,” Albuquerque Asphalt President/Owner Bob Wood estimates. 

“We’re thinking it’s going to shave a month to a month and a half off the project schedule,” Jacky says.

Efficiency That Delivers

The Wirtgen W 380 CRi integrates cement and foamed asphalt directly into the roadbed, creating a continuous feed into the paver. This not only speeds up the process but also reduces the number of trucks and crews needed on-site.

“When you’re shaving a couple of months off a job, that’s hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings,” notes Collin James, branch manager of 4Rivers Equipment in Albuquerque.

The FDR process also improves road longevity. Unlike traditional mill-and-fill methods, which leave underlying cracks that eventually resurface, FDR pulverizes and rehabilitates up to 6 inches of the existing road, resulting in a more durable and longer-lasting surface. These innovative practices make Albuquerque Asphalt a valuable member of the Working Partners for New Mexico road construction community.

A First for the Company—and the State

This project marks Albuquerque Asphalt’s first venture into in-place recycling and it’s already proving successful. With a goal of completing 2 miles per day, the team expected to finish the NM 104 project in just eight days—a task that would traditionally take over a month.

“This is something new that we’ve never had out here in New Mexico,” Jacky says. “Nobody else is doing this.”

Powered by Partnership

A key factor in Albuquerque Asphalt’s success is its strong relationship with 4Rivers Equipment, a trusted partner that ensures the company has the tools and support it needs—often at a moment’s notice.

“I call 4Rivers my easy button,” Jacky says. “When I need something, they make it happen.”

Whether it’s sourcing a replacement mill in the middle of the night or ensuring equipment is ready on the lot, 4Rivers’ responsiveness is critical to keeping projects on schedule.

“Nowadays, support is very, very critical,” Collin says. 

“Guys like Collin and Jon [Valerio] go above and beyond. If I don’t talk to them five or six times a day, it’s an off day,” Jacky says. This partnership highlights the importance of having Working Partners for New Mexico’s success in paving innovation.

Building Roads—and Trust

Albuquerque Asphalt’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and partnership is transforming how roads are built in New Mexico. Their work on NM 104 is more than just a paving project—it’s a model for the future of infrastructure.

Beyond that, the bond between Albuquerque Asphalt and 4Rivers simply gets stronger and more impressive each day. Working Partners for New Mexico like 4Rivers and Albuquerque Asphalt share a vision that is crucial to infrastructural development.

“It’s critical to our success to have a partner like 4Rivers,” Jacky says. “They’re 110 percent with us.”