Building Private Roads & Drives:
Choosing the Best Road Surface

Durable & Reliable Gravel Road & Driveway Construction

Building Private Roads & Drives:
Choosing the Best Road Surface

Durable & Reliable Gravel Road & Driveway Construction

At Texoma Excavation and Construction, our extensive experience in building private gravel and road base roads and driveways sets us apart. With years of expertise, we have honed our skills to provide you with the best advice and solutions for your specific needs. Our team meticulously plans and executes every project, considering crucial factors such as traffic volume, climate, soil conditions, and cost-effectiveness. This comprehensive approach ensures that we recommend the most suitable materials for your road surface, whether it’s gravel or road base. By choosing Texoma Excavation and Construction, you benefit from our deep knowledge and commitment to delivering durable, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing gravel or road base roads and driveways. Contact us today to discuss your project and let us help you make the best decision for your road surface needs.

What type of road surface do you need?

Practical Surface Options for Private Roads

When building a private road, several surface options can be considered:

Gravel: Cost-effective and easy to install, ideal for rural and low-traffic areas^[1].
Asphalt: Durable and smooth, suitable for higher traffic volumes^[2].
Concrete: Long-lasting and low maintenance, best for heavy traffic and extreme weather conditions^[2].
Chip Seal: A combination of asphalt and gravel, providing a durable and textured surface^[2].

Criteria for Choosing the Surface Option

When selecting a surface option, consider the following criteria:

Traffic Volume: Higher traffic requires more durable surfaces like asphalt or concrete^[2].
Budget: Gravel is more affordable, while asphalt and concrete are costlier but more durable^[2].
Climate: Consider weather conditions; asphalt may soften in extreme heat, while concrete withstands various climates^[2].
Maintenance: Gravel requires regular maintenance, while asphalt and concrete need less frequent upkeep^[2].

Considerations for Choosing a Gravel Road

Gravel roads are often the best choice for:

Cost-Effectiveness: Lower initial costs compared to asphalt or concrete^[1].
Accessibility: Easier to construct in remote areas with limited access to materials^[1].
Flexibility: Suitable for various weather conditions and easier to repair^[1].

Types of Businesses and Locations for Specific Road Surface Selections

Agricultural Areas: Gravel roads for farm access.
Residential Areas: Asphalt or concrete for driveways and neighborhood roads.
Industrial Sites: Concrete for heavy machinery and high traffic.
Remote Locations: Gravel for logging roads, mining operations, and remote cabins^[1].

Surface and Soil Conditions for Different Road Base Conditions

Stable Soil: Suitable for gravel or asphalt roads.
Unstable Soil: Requires stabilization with geotextile fabric or a thicker base layer^[5].

Difference Between Gravel and Rock Road

Gravel Road: Uses loose aggregates like small stones and pebbles^[4].
Rock Road: Typically involves larger, crushed rock for a more stable base^[3].

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When building a gravel road, what does “Cutting water bars before gravel” refer to?

cutting-waterbars-before-gravel-01-1400×800

“Cutting water bars before gravel” refers to constructing diagonal channels or ridges across the road (before laying down the gravel) to divert water off the surface, preventing erosion and maintaining the road’s integrity[1][2].

This ensures that water is effectively diverted from the roadbed, reducing the risk of washouts and maintaining a stable surface[3]. This step is crucial for the longevity and durability of gravel roads, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall or runoff.

Best Materials for Water Bars

Water bars can be made from various materials, each suited to different conditions:

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Flexible and cost-effective, PVC water bars are resistant to chemicals and suitable for a wide range of applications[4].
Rubber: Durable and flexible, rubber water bars are ideal for areas with significant movement or settlement.
Metal: Often used in more permanent installations, metal water bars are highly durable but less flexible[5].

Resources

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Past Excavation Projects

Pond Construction Residential Drainage Excavation Services by Texoma Excavation & Construction – Texomaland & North Texas

The above image shows Texoma Excavation & Construction digging a new power supply ditch and tying into the existing live power supply near Melissa, Texas. The paver stones were salvaged to be replaced. All the PVC, electrical conduit, phone lines, and small electrical lines that were destroyed were anticipated.

Pond Construction Excavation Services by Texoma Excavation & Construction – Texomaland & North Texas

Pond building is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. After all the planning, the first construction step is excavation of the area where the pond will be located. The pond excavation work shown above was near Montague, Texas. When this pond is full, it will be 7′ 2″ deep at its deepest point.

Trenching Excavation Services by Texoma Excavation & Construction – Texomaland & North Texas

Residential drainage excavation work done near Denison, Texas. This client had some significant drainage problems during periods of high-volume runoff and tried to excavate a ditch to channel water away from his house. We were hired to polish the existing ditch and spread some grass seed.

Trench Digging Services

When ground conditions are favorable, open cut trenching allows for quicker and more efficient utilities installation and inspection than methods such as boring. Both methods have pros and cons.

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Pond Building Services

Pond building is a detailed and meticulous process that requires careful planning and precision in order to create the desired shape and size. Aftre the planning and preliminaries, the first pond buildig step is to excavate the area where it will be located. The end result of a well-planned and excavated pond will be to increase your enjoyment of your property aethetically and in terms of its value.

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Landscape Grading & Drainage Contractor

If you’re experiencing poor drainage on your property, it’s important to address the issue promptly to prevent further damage and potential safety hazards. We can help identify the root cause of your drainage problems and provide effective solutions to keep your property safe and well-maintained.

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French Drain Systems

French drains use gravity to divert ground water away from building foundations, drain water from a low-lying landscape areas, collect unwanted surface water, preventing flooding of lawns, patios, walkways, and drives, and other drainage issues.

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