Gravel Driveways & Culverts in Grand Rapids, MI

Gravel driveways and culverts are the bread and butter of township excavation. A long country drive needs a cleared path, topsoil stripped, a compacted stone base and a top layer that sheds water. Where the drive crosses a roadside ditch, it needs a culvert sized to carry the water. We also build stone bases for driveways that will be paved with asphalt or concrete.

Built for freeze and thaw

West Michigan winters bring heavy snow, plows and long freezes, followed by spring thaw when the ground underneath is soft. A thin layer of stone on topsoil turns to ruts. HomeGuide recommends a 3 to 4 inch base of crusher run or crushed stone topped with 2 to 3 inches of surface gravel, and on soft or wet soils we often go deeper with fabric underneath. Crowning the surface so water runs off is just as important.

Costs

HomeGuide puts gravel driveways at $4 to $10 per square foot installed, or $4,000 to $10,000 for 1,000 square feet. Crushed stone runs $30 to $60 per ton delivered and crusher run $25 to $50. Regrading an existing drive costs $1 to $3 per square foot, and culverts or drains $500 to $2,000.

Culverts and county roads

In Kent County, the Road Commission requires a permit for any and all work in a county road right-of-way, including residential driveways. In Ottawa County, the Road Commission requires a permit to construct, relocate or resurface a driveway, and ditches cannot be filled without a permit to enclose them. We confirm the permit and culvert size before we set pipe.

Paving prep

If the drive will be paved, the base we build is what the asphalt or concrete sits on. We work to the paver's specifications for depth and grade, then compact and proof-roll before they arrive.