Private access road repair.
Private access road repair.
(OP)
Got a problem with a gravel access road. It is only about 1000 feet long, but depends into and out of a small gulley to serve three residences. The slope is up to 10 percent. The road has had the problem with washboard in and tuts. As a result, one of the owners put 2 to 3 inches of 3/4" minus over the top and tried to compact it. Now it is worse than ever, and I had to call a towtruck to be pulled out last night.
My question is, without totally redoing the road, can the addition of 1.5" minus compacted stabilize the 3/4" layers so that you can get sufficient traction to climb the grade without spinning wheels?
Fyi, the alignment is of a poor design with a sharp curve at to one side of the gulley, making adequate momentum difficult to msintain.
My question is, without totally redoing the road, can the addition of 1.5" minus compacted stabilize the 3/4" layers so that you can get sufficient traction to climb the grade without spinning wheels?
Fyi, the alignment is of a poor design with a sharp curve at to one side of the gulley, making adequate momentum difficult to msintain.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)





RE: Private access road repair.
On some slopes, without side ditch drainage you may need a few diagonal cut and hump to divert surface water now and then. Hard to maintain, but may be needed.
Finally, if all fails, a local contractor may do a double chip seal, but life is unlikely more than 10 years. 3 or more inches of blacktop was my final cure. 2 inches is not sufficient.
RE: Private access road repair.
RE: Private access road repair.
RE: Private access road repair.
I have, but was unsure of the amount to use. Problem is the 4 to 6" of 3/4" minus there now causing the slipping problem. Might have to remove some of that prior to installing the mix you recommend, saving that to fill in ruts later. Unfortunately, it is all about the money...
Thanks Ron.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Private access road repair.
RE: Private access road repair.
RE: Private access road repair.
I have presumed there is a decent sized tractor (30 hp and up) with rear blade available for periodic maintenance in any case. A rear PTO tiller would be a great asset for the stabilization work.
RE: Private access road repair.
It sounds like the 3/4" minus gravel lift just laid down several inches of marbles to drive on; no compaction or binder, no traction, in fact, unraveling under any wheel traction force. Well graded crushed gravel compacts and locks together much better, and should contain some small percentage of clay for binder. I agree with Oldestguy, I’ve had good luck with his general method on a mile long driveway, where it has had soft spots, etc. It’s all local materials, more reasonable price and work effort to start to make it work, or to rework some areas to improve them. At the moment bulk cement seems kinda hard to come by, at least in MN and WI, and is just not easily available to the small operator. Also, one jackass in the group can make a real mess of a driveway, becuase of his driving habits, jack rabbits starts and stops, etc. If you dig the hole, make the soft spot or ruts, you fix it. That’s a tough thing to teach city drivers.
RE: Private access road repair.
Once THEY pay, THEY will police (self-correct and correct their children/guests) the problem causing the ruts. Then, AFTER the cause stops, a ten-year correction will actually last ten-years.
RE: Private access road repair.
RE: Private access road repair.
do you have access to recycled concrete or asphalt? They spread well compact nicely and are easily renewed every once in a while.
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com