History of Bituminous Roadways, Inc.

Bituminous Roadways, Inc. (BRI), founded by Al Wendell 1946, began operations with a three-man crew and an asphalt plant in South Minneapolis. In the early days the crew did primarily residential work, but not for long. Today BRI performs work on solely commercial and industrial accounts throughout the Greater Twin Cities area.

Bituminous Roadways has been at the forefront of the asphalt industry since its inception. With strong leadership, a drive to provide quality products, fair pricing, and efficient implementation of the latest technology and innovation, BR meets and exceeds industry standards to set an example. BR invented the first asphalt silo storage containment unit in 1965. In 1975 BR went "green" before recycling and environmental issues were at the forefront. BR was the first to recycle asphalt in HMA (hot mix asphalt) as well as the first to recycle roofing shingles in 1996. BR continues to explore and implement the latest technologies to improve paving and remain a Twin Cities leader.

1958 found Palmer Peterson, a University of Minnesota student at the time, hired as an asphalt estimator taken under the wings of Al Wendell, a man Palmer would grow to think of as a father. Years of service, hard work, and increased responsibility would find Palmer Peterson president of BR. Today and 60 plus years later, Palmer’s son Kent Peterson carries on the tradition of ethical, progressive, and innovative business practices, set in place by Al and nurtured by the Peterson family. The Petersons think of themselves as a third generation outfit.