Roads, Driveways and Culverts

The basic function of a road and/or driveway is to provide easy access to your property. Access to a construction site is an immediate necessity which aids in the procurement and distribution of all materials, equipment and resources required to effectively maximize productivity on the jobsite. This is why the installation of appropriate roads, driveways and culverts is one of the first priorities deemed necessary when starting any project

Other reasons include:

• The reduction of mud and other debris tracked out and left on the main streets by the trucks when exiting the construction site.  Some neighborhoods have written regulations enforced by the Home Owners Association, prohibiting any type of construction waste from being left on their streets.  Regular patrols monitor the neighborhood and have the authority to issue a citation, if an infraction is documented.  An infraction can carry a hefty fine issued to the responsible party along with all costs associated with cleaning up the affected streets.

The impact that inclement weather conditions can have on a construction site.  A properly constructed road with adequate support and drainage will keep weather delays to a minimum.  Equipment can begin to provide additional cleanup assistance sooner speeding up the recovery process without the worry of getting stuck.

The means to access any specific area within a project and install the proper drainage infrastructure necessary to stabilize the site for future activity.  The quicker a drainage issue can be resolved the sooner the affected area will be available for further development.

Materials:

Every project has its own unique characteristics, setting it apart from another. However, there are generalities which usually apply to most projects. Below is a list of the materials commonly used when applying the final top layer to the roads and driveways:

• Crushed Concrete
• Crushed Granite
• Crushed Limestone
• Crushed Asphalt

Note: The materials listed above come from 100% recylced materials and provide a GREEN eco-friendly alternative which ultimately helps preserve our natural resources.

Other aggregate and material options used to support and enhance the foundation of roads and driveways include:

• Stabilized Sand
• Engineered Select Fill
• Fly Ash
• Clay
• Lime
• Geo-Textile Fabric (Also called Geo-Matt)

Steps in constructing roads and driveways:

Prior to starting construction, walk the proposed site with the landowner to address all relevant details necessary to insure a properly constructed road that fulfills the customer's expectations.	Mark the perimeters of the construction site, checking the site location for insufficient soils or other obstacles that could affect the stability and longevity of the road.
Locate and mark all underground utility lines buried within the immediate area of the construction site.	Clear the marked area of any vegetative debris including roots. Debris left behind will decay and eventually leave voids causing potholes or other obstacles and destroy the integrity of the road.
Select fill is added to the road surface in single units called lifts. Each lift is compacted before additional lifts are added, ultimately building up the road height to an acceptable elevation.
Working from the middle of the road, a very gradual downward slope is scraped off the foundation base on both sides creating a crown which covers the entire width and extends the length of the road or drive. This is done to allow for proper drainage and helps extend the life of the road.
A dozer is used to spread the top layer of aggregate evenly across the surface of the road.	After the aggregate is applied in a thick, even layer, a roller is used to compact the rock into the foundation base fusing the layers, producing a durable smooth and cohesive road surface.