Private roads - engineering/construction/maintenance

[-Pjackso]

Hi All,
Does anyone have good references for engineering specifications for roads?


I live in an HOA association with private (paved) roads. The HOA roads-committee does a good job trying to manage the roads, although none of them have a background in 'roads'.

A majority of our roads are in good condition, with the occasional places that's failing. The failing portions are where the road-base is too soft and can't support the loading. Hence the ground sinks/ pavement cracks/and hence - fails in certain locations. I think the original contractor (in the 80's) just put down pavement on the dirt, and hoped for the best. We currently have (2) overlays of pavement, so it's a sizeable thickness. It's worked so far.

The conventional approach for road damage is to ask for a pavement company to quote a repair. That's fine for spot-repairs, but we have a short road that needs full-repair. Unfortunately, nobody in the HOA has any idea what specifications to require for base re-construction. We don't need to over-design the repair ($$$), and also not under-design it either. ...And trusting the salesman isn't always the most prudent approach.

Usage includes personal traffic, garbage trucks, occasional lawn services, utility/boat trailers.
I'd say the normal traffic within a home association.


I have a Mechanical Engineering background, but not so much in Civil Engineering. I have offered to provide my help to the HOA roads-committee, and need to get up to speed on the subject.
For the Civil Engineering/DOT folks, can you please direct me to some good references?



Q: What's the difference between a Mechanical Engineer and a Civil Engineer?
A: Mechanical Engineers build the bombs. Civil Engineers build the targets.

 

[rickm]

To save you some money you might get in touch with the local municipality street maintenance personnel or county and ask their recommendations on what needs to be done and if they could give you a list of contractors that they recommend.

 

[Dumpstick]

Why don't you contact some of the bigger road companies? TJ Campbell Asphalt, or Atlas Asphalt spring to mind right off.

It's what they do. They will send out a sales rep to talk to you.

These guys know roads.

 

[JeffT]

TJ Campbell, Atlas, Bishop Paving those three have all done work that I’ve seen. All three are solid companies that did good jobs that have held up over time.


Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly, Shoot Well, Leave the rest to God.

 

[Buzzdraw]

Surely someone in the HOA knows a CE who could give a little advice for a nice BBQ meal.

I have a little experience in private roads. I'd suggest the HOA build to handle the heaviest loads permitted on their roads under soaked ground conditions. Post signage per axle and enforce. A fully loaded 10 wheeler trash truck is pretty heavy. A concrete truck, fully loaded is also pretty heavy. Hard to regulate trash truck loads but easier to limit concrete truck weights per axle.

If the road base is solid and water drains away from the roadway then a topcoat will last a while. If holes keep developing in the same spots then the base under it is poor. Fix it before topcoat.

 

[Parks 788]

I'd see if anyone in the HOA is a general contractor for a larger developer or commercial contractor. If so, they will have a list of past asphalt contractors that have done a good job for them doing repairs, street work or parking lot work. I would see if he can provide several contractors you could talk to. I wouldn't talk to the sales guys at the asphalt company but would see if you can meet with one of their superintendents or General Foremans for advice. THese guy are actually more knowledgeable than the sales guys and have hands on experience.

 

[Jwryan84]

Hi All,
Does anyone have good references for engineering specifications for roads?


I live in an HOA association with private (paved) roads. The HOA roads-committee does a good job trying to manage the roads, although none of them have a background in 'roads'.

A majority of our roads are in good condition, with the occasional places that's failing. The failing portions are where the road-base is too soft and can't support the loading. Hence the ground sinks/ pavement cracks/and hence - fails in certain locations. I think the original contractor (in the 80's) just put down pavement on the dirt, and hoped for the best. We currently have (2) overlays of pavement, so it's a sizeable thickness. It's worked so far.

The conventional approach for road damage is to ask for a pavement company to quote a repair. That's fine for spot-repairs, but we have a short road that needs full-repair. Unfortunately, nobody in the HOA has any idea what specifications to require for base re-construction. We don't need to over-design the repair ($$$), and also not under-design it either. ...And trusting the salesman isn't always the most prudent approach.

Usage includes personal traffic, garbage trucks, occasional lawn services, utility/boat trailers.
I'd say the normal traffic within a home association.


I have a Mechanical Engineering background, but not so much in Civil Engineering. I have offered to provide my help to the HOA roads-committee, and need to get up to speed on the subject.
For the Civil Engineering/DOT folks, can you please direct me to some good references?



Q: What's the difference between a Mechanical Engineer and a Civil Engineer?
A: Mechanical Engineers build the bombs. Civil Engineers build the targets.

Northwood? Just moved out here and having the same issues.

 

[Apogee]

They did this in my neighborhood, don't know specs. Wound up completely taking out the old road, laid down fly ash (huge mess, it gets everywhere), then actual road base material (which looks like a combo of sand, dirt, and different sized aggregate) then a base coat of asphalt, then a top coat. For 2 lane miles cost was approx $600,000. Roads have held up well, there have still been a few repairs, and just a couple of years ago they had the roads sealed to help extend the life. The have discussed that the re-sealing will be an ongoing thing every few years to help extend the life. Will inquire with HOA to see if someone remembers specs they asked for.

 

[Snattlerake]

Q: What's the difference between a Mechanical Engineer and a Civil Engineer?
A: Mechanical Engineers build the bombs. Civil Engineers build the targets.

An aeronautical engineer is the middleman.

 

[SoonerP226]

Call your county commissioner's office and see if you can talk to the person in charge of road maintenance, preferably the guy in charge of engineering. They should be able to at least point you in the right direction. I'd suggest ODOT, but I'm thinking you'd have a better chance of getting to talk to someone at the county level.