Asphalt Paving in Ada Township, MI

Asphalt paving in Ada Township often means longer driveways than in the city. Census figures put the township's owner-occupancy rate near 93 percent and its median owner-occupied home value around $545,000, and many homes sit well back from the road on wooded or rolling lots. A long drive has more edge to support, more surface to drain and more length for frost to work on, so base thickness and drainage matter even more here.

Permits start in Ada, finish in Cascade

Ada sends building permits and inspections to Cascade Township under contract. Applications begin at Ada's Planning and Zoning Department, which reviews zoning before sending them on. Approaches onto county roads need a Kent County Road Commission permit, since the Road Commission requires one for any work in its right-of-way, including residential driveways.

Two rivers

The Grand River and the Thornapple River both flow through the township, and the Ada Covered Bridge over the Thornapple dates to 1867. The county requires a soil erosion permit for activity within 500 feet of a lake or stream. Homes near either river, or near the creeks that feed them, may need one for a driveway replacement. We check before planning excavation.

Slopes and curves

Hilly lots bring curved drives and steep sections near the garage or the road. On slopes, we compact the base in lifts, make sure edges are supported, and plan for water at the bottom of the hill so it does not undercut the asphalt. On curves, we pave in passes that keep joints out of the tire paths where possible.

Maintenance on long drives

For long drives that are still sound, the most cost-effective plan is crack sealing every fall and sealcoating every few years. Edges should be kept backed up with soil so plows do not break them. When a long drive does need replacing, it can be done in sections.

Costs for longer drives

National guides put new asphalt driveways at about $5 to $12 or more per square foot (HomeGuide) and $7 to $15 (Angi). On long drives, base work, the number of curves and access for trucks have a big effect on the total. The written estimate sets the price.

Keeping the finish clean

On homes with landscaped edges, stone walls or lighting along the drive, we plan the work so equipment stays off beds, protect fixtures, and hand-finish edges where rollers cannot reach.

Timing

We pave from late spring through early fall, when hot mix compacts well. Long drives may take two or three days, especially with base repairs. Late summer and fall are when crack sealing does the most good.

Sections and phasing

If you would rather spread the cost, a long drive can be replaced in phases. We leave a clean, straight joint between phases so the next section ties in without a weak seam.

Snow and the long drive

The Grand Rapids area averages about 75 inches of snow a year. On a long drive, every plow pass is a chance to catch an edge, and meltwater runs the whole length before it leaves. Marking edges in fall and keeping a crown or cross slope are worth the effort.

Call (616) 984-1897 or

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for a free Ada Township estimate.