Activist slams Yerevan asphalt work as roads crumble quickly

Civic activist Artur Chakhoyan has criticized the quality of newly laid asphalt in the capital, claiming that road surfaces are breaking apart within weeks of installation.

In a social media post on Saturday, Chakhoyan said he photographed a section of asphalt about a month after it was laid, noting that it had already deteriorated. He reported taking the images at 8:21 p.m. and later learning from residents that crews were resurfacing Gyurjan Street without using bitumen, a key binding material in asphalt.

“This is no longer an accident but a tradition,” Chakhoyan wrote, alleging that municipal crews prioritize speed and appearances over durability. He accused the city of focusing on “quickly blackening the potholes for show” rather than ensuring long-term quality. He added that officials often deflect responsibility with excuses instead of acknowledging poor workmanship.