Hillside Driveway Rebuild in Aptos, CA
Location: Aptos, Santa Cruz County · Services: asphalt paving, grading, retaining walls, concrete curbs · Duration: about 8 days
The problem
The original driveway was only 2 inches of asphalt over too little base rock. Heavy delivery trucks and today's heavier electric vehicles put a lot of torque on the pavement as they drive up and brake down the hill, and the thin asphalt broke up under that load. Water ran off across the driveway, and soil from the surrounding hillside kept sliding down onto it.
What we did
- Regraded the driveway
- Ripped the existing base rock, moisture-conditioned it and compacted it so the new layer would bond to it
- Added 6 inches of new base rock on top and compacted it
- Paved 3 inches of 3/4-inch commercial-grade asphalt mix
- Built a cast-in-place concrete retaining wall to hold back the hillside and keep soil off the driveway
- Poured concrete curbs along the full length of the driveway to control water runoff and protect the asphalt edges
Result
A thicker driveway on a stronger base, built to a commercial-grade spec for the heavier vehicles that use residential driveways today. The new wall and curbs now hold back the hillside and direct runoff away from the pavement.
Crew spreading and raking 3 inches of asphalt as the paver and loader work behind them
Finished asphalt turnaround with a new concrete retaining wall holding back the hillside
New asphalt driveway with concrete curbs on both edges to control water runoff
Rebuilt driveway leading to the garage, with the retaining wall and curb along the hillside
Planning a driveway or hillside project?
Send us the location and a short description of the work, and we'll set up a site visit. Request an estimate or call (831) 440-6042.
Related: Asphalt Paving & Repair · Retaining Walls · Santa Cruz County · All projects