The state of dispersion, the viscoelastic properties and the mechanical properties (such as Young's modulus, ductibility, penetration, and Fraas breaking point) of polymer-modified bitumen are investigated Bitumen was modified with low-density polyethylene from processed bags (PEbags) and styrene-butadiene random block copolymer (SBR) The blends were characterized by optical microscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and other conventional methods Photomicrographs indicated that different morphologies were obtained, PEbags gave dispersions with almost spherical polymer particles, whereas in the case of SBR, fibrillar domains were observed DMTA measurements indicated significant changes of the storage and loss moduli of modified bitumen, depending on the polymer content in the bitumen matrix, these values were three to four times higher compared with neat bitumen. Blends with SBR showed a significantly Increased resistance to cracking at low temperatures due to decrease of the glass transition temperature from -14 to -34 degrees C Contrary, PEbags gave better results at higher temperatures where as a result of the increased resistance to permanent deformation the softening point of modified bitumen was shifted from 52 to 73 degrees C It was also investigated the influence of mixtures of PEbags/SBR on the properties of bitumen as function of the composition and ratio between PEbags and SBR. It was found that the best Improvement in deformation resistance, permanent deformation, and cracking of bitumen was achieved with the addition of PEbags/SBR mixture as the rubber increased the bitumen properties at low temperatures and the polyolefin at high temperatures (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc J Appl Polym Sci 118 1320-1330, 2010