A needle-punched nonwoven fabric weighing a minimum of 4.1 oz. per square yard, which, when embedded in a field applied asphalt cement tack coat becomes an asphalt saturated fabric membrane. Properly installed it is a pavement moisture barrier and a stress absorbing interlayer which retards crack reflection and extends pavement life. It is then covered with an asphalt overlay or a surface maintenance treatment such as chip or cape seal. Paving fabric is a millable and recyclable material.