Road pavement question

[LibraryLady]

On hwy 69 in Oklahoma, near Big Cabin, prior to getting on the toll road:

New pavement was poured, dried and then a month or two later, they cut some "notches" in the pavement---3 "stripes" in each space where the wheels would be....so that each lane has 6 "stripes"....and the notches were filled with what seems to be concrete.

We notice this same pattern in a few places in Ohio. If we were not driving so fast, I'd take a photo.

What is the purpose? Is this some kind of anti-skid idea?

[Fitzroy]

Never encountered that. A quick read up finds that longitudinal pavement notching is something that's done where there are joints between pavement sections. A benefit is that it increases pavement density.

I'd guess they're doing it to make the travel lanes last longer.

[GRANDPA]

It's not just at Big Cabin. Almost the whole stretch of US 69/75 down to the Red River is like that. I think it has to do something with strengthening the joints between slabs to prevent potholes. I think?