Daniel Mikus and James Rolph: Aussie entrepreneurs turning road tech into a sexy global export

In a country where road construction and repair consume billions in taxpayer funding every year, two Australian entrepreneurs are proving that the future of roads doesn't have to be expensive, wasteful or short-lived.

Daniel Mikus and James Rolph, founders of MR Roads, are leading a quiet revolution, building roads that are smarter, greener and scientifically stronger. Their game-changing $20 million investment into recycled asphalt technology and cutting-edge road design is setting a new global benchmark.

"Most people don't think twice about roads until they're full of potholes," Mikus said.

"The truth is, roads are one of our most valuable national assets and for decades, we've been building them to fail.

"We drive on them every day, but no one thinks about the technology going into them.  It is actually one of the most exciting and innovative areas of industry. Making sustainable unbreakable enduring roads is now big business and we plan to continue to lead the way.

"In a country like Australia, our climate is unforgiving.  That is why we want to deliver premium solutions, but also help to guide the rest of the world in best practice for road building and maintenance.

"Our work will help build better infrastructure and save governments and tax payers lots of money."

Stronger from the ground up

According to Mikus, what sets innovative road building apart from other practices isn't just the materials that are used, it's the science behind how they are used. 

"From foundation compaction to layer bonding and moisture control, our focus incorporates advanced pavement engineering principles to construct roads that distribute weight more evenly, resist rutting and minimise cracking over time," Mikus said. 

"Traditional road construction often skips critical steps or uses outdated materials that degrade fast under heavy loads.

"Our extensive research, testing and focus concentrates on and invests in better base preparation, tighter density control and more rigorous compaction techniques. 

"We have undertaken global analysis of best practices worldwide to develop what we believe is a superior system of road making for our nation's infrastructure needs.   That's why our roads last longer and perform better."

Smarter asphalt through circular innovation

At the heart of MR Roads' continued innovation is their new recycled asphalt plant in Maryborough, Queensland which will be one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Australia. The plant will produce asphalt containing up to 30 percent Recycled Asphalt Product (RAP), created by crushing and refining old asphalt surfaces into high-performance new mixes.

"RAP isn't just environmentally friendly, it's technically superior when blended correctly," Mikus said. 

"It improves stiffness and durability, reduces thermal cracking and lowers the overall carbon footprint of the road."

The circular process reduces the need for virgin aggregates and bitumen, cuts down on landfill waste and slashes emissions while delivering engineering-grade performance.

Precision installation for performance and longevity

MR Roads employs GPS-guided pavers, automated levelling systems and real-time density tracking to ensure roads are installed with exceptional precision. This attention to detail, down to the millimetre, eliminates weak spots, water ingress and premature surface breakdown.

"We use thermal mapping to eliminate cold joints. We track rolling patterns to optimise compaction and we test sub-base drainage to prevent long-term failures," Rolph said.

"This is infrastructure built with science, not shortcuts.  We have undertaken significant investment in technology to position our company to deliver high quality road infrastructure built for our country's climate and conditions."

Australia leads the world in roads? Yes, thanks to MR Roads

It's a bold claim but one that's backed by evidence. MR Roads' model of advanced construction methods, recycled materials and durable design is now being watched closely by national and international stakeholders.

"Who would've thought Australia could be leading the world in road technology?" Mikus said.

"We're proving it can be done, faster, cleaner and stronger.   Organisations across the world are now reaching out to us to collaborate to gain insight into our methods and products.  Hopefully we are making roads sexy and a key export for our country."

Saving money by preventing failure

"Longer-lasting roads mean fewer repairs, less disruption and lower costs for governments, councils and taxpayers," Mikus said.

"A road that lasts 30 percent longer doesn't just reduce repair bills, it frees up millions for other community priorities. That's the kind of infrastructure innovation this country needs."

An iconic Australian brand with national impact

With nearly 100 staff and growing fast, MR Roads expects to create over 50 new jobs as the Maryborough plant comes online but for Mikus and Rolph, this is just the beginning.

"We're not building roads the way they've always been built," Mikus said. 

"We're building a national legacy, one road at a time."

About MR Roads

MR Roads is one of Australia's fastest growing civil infrastructure companies, specialising in road construction, asphalt works, pavement maintenance and large-scale infrastructure solutions. Founded by Daniel Mikus and James Rolph, MR Roads has quickly established itself as a trusted leader in the sector, delivering high quality outcomes for government, commercial and private clients across the country.

www.mr-roads.com.au