What civil engineers are reading this week

• New carbon-cutting bio-asphalt could be industry disruptor

  The product’s makers are tapping into the underused biochar industry and reimagining what asphalt could be. What are its advantages over traditional hot-mix asphalt?

• This cross-country vacation sure crosses a lot of bridges

  Friends of ASCE’s resident bridges enthusiast Brian Brenner have quizzed him with pictures of all the bridges they’ve seen on their extensive vacation across the nation. Brian shares their travelogue.

• Lightning used to make ammonia out of air

  University of Sydney reearchers have used artificial lightning to create a more efficient technique for producing ammonia. The approach may support future green energy solutions.

• New York MTA installs protective platform barriers at over 50 subway stations

  Halfway through 2025, the city's transit authority is on track to install barriers at more than 100 subway stations by the end of the year.

• See up to 25 meteors an hour as showers peak

  Two minor meteor showers – the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids – peak overnight on July 29-30, making it a great night for stargazing.

• Flowing as they once did: Restoration project in Texas returns streams to natural state

  As part of environmental mitigation efforts for the 2.3-mile-long Leon Hurse Dam under construction, a part of the North Sulphur River has been restored to its original flow patterns.