Reinforced asphalt layer

A reinforced asphalt layer, consisting of an asphalt-forming mixture of bitumen with mineral particles having a characteristic particle size, in which is embedded a reinforcing network of elongated reinforcing elements which, where they intersect one another, have a connection to one another which at least to a certain degree fixes the cross-bond, said reinforcing elements at least locally having a cross-section providing a width dimension of the order of said characteristic particle size and a thickness much less than said width dimension, and said elements being non-planar so as to change orientation of said width dimension longitudinally from location to location of their engagement of the surrounding material of the layer, whereby in a finished, rolled asphalt layer the reinforcing elements adjust locally to the mineral particles by deformation, on the one hand, while the reinforcing network largely retains its elasticity, on the other.