Driveway Crossovers
Often ignored, the humble driveway crossover allows ease of access to your home. If done right, you’ll never have to think about it again. Hassle free from neighbors, council, maintenance and damage. Despite what is visible, there is a lot going on with your crossover; subterranean services, drainage, weight distribution and all subjected to Aus and local rules and regulations.
Road Reserve Services:
There could be water, gas, power and phone/internet running right under your wheels. Then there are the penetrations, inspection points, manhole covers, stormwater drains all living around the same area.
Driveway Drainage:
Get this wrong and you’ll soon have streams of water running down your driveway – the height of the kerb/gutter must be continued yet still trafficable. Or lingering puddles of water that seem to breed brown-green slime, that creates a slippery surface at the best of times from not enough fall. Is there an open stormwater gutter/culvert running parallel with your road? you’ll need a headwall on either side of the crossover and a connecting pipe underneath.
Weight:
Just your Prius, is it? No. there will be dual-axle tippers and delivery trucks just dying to crack and crumble your crossover. The subgrade needs to be of clean compactible material – road-base or other semblance. Then the finish needs to be able to withstand the same impacts that your typical curb might see.
Council:
Authority must be obtained for any crossover – So there will be an permit application. At this time you’ll get a stonewall of text that is no help at all and stern warnings of owners costs. You may even be one of the lucky ones… where the council will give you a rebate for partial cost of the crossover – Afterall it is their land.
Finished Surface:
You want something that looks good – matches the driveway, non-slip – we don’t want any accidents and lasts forever – think concrete, asphalt or brick paver.
Maintenance:
All though the crossover is on council land, you’ll be responsible for any maintenance – So it’s very important to have your crossover constructed to the highest standard.
If you have any more questions on your driveway crossover, get in touch on our Landscaping page.
