I know of some instances (usually city street cars) where they laid the track normally (wood ties on ballast) and then paved over with asphalt and/or concrete.
With the foundation covered with pavement, the pavement would have had to be removed to realign the track and replace the ties. Cities and/or states froze fares at low values. When track repairs were needed, the streetcars had no money for track maintenance and could not always get permitting to tear up the streets since automobiles were now on the scene.
Many a street car company (not all of course) closed their doors instead. I've seen one or two movies of the trolleys moving down city streets near the end and they swayed like narrow gauge rolling stock on the D&RGW in the 1960's.
That's why I was surprised to see the steel ties on the WP&Y wharf - great idea but not always used.
No big deal but interesting construction techniques.
Thanks.
DOug vV