Eagle Asphalt Paving
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Service area based on publicly available information and/or Land Intelligence research.
Land & Access › Roads & Access
All-Weather Driveway in Alberta
Good coverage · 6 providers
Driveway construction designed for year-round access in all weather.
When to use: Rural properties requiring reliable access in all seasons.
- Duration
- 3–10 days
- Typical size
- 100–3,000 linear ft
- Permits
- May require municipal access permit
Scope of work
- Route design
- Subgrade preparation
- Geotextile
- Base gravel
- Surface gravel
- Drainage
- Compaction
How this works in Alberta
All-weather surfacing is how the lane stays a lane through thaw. It is access for you, a fuel truck, and a fire engine.
An all-weather driveway is about water. The road has to drain at spring thaw and after summer storms without softening, which is why this package adds separate base and surface gravel and drainage work to a standard gravel driveway. If your current lane rutting is the problem, find where the water comes from before choosing a gravel depth.
Drainage work can trigger provincial rules that a plain gravel driveway does not. Alberta Agriculture's guide to the Water Act notes that the Act covers "any changes to drainage" and "the creation of dugouts, ditches, berms, and water crossings", and advises landowners to contact the department for an approval before starting. Roadside ditches, cross-drains and culverts that move water off the route should be designed with that in mind, and the effect on neighbouring land considered.
Routes through low ground often meet wetlands. Alberta's wetland policy implementation guidance states that any activity that may impact a wetland requires either a Water Act approval or a Code of Practice notice, and that proponents must first show they considered avoiding the wetland. Moving the route is usually simpler than an approval with a professional wetland assessment.
Where the subgrade is soft clay or wet, ask whether a geotechnical assessment is warranted before agreeing a design; the package notes that an engineer may be needed for poor soil conditions. Get the base and surface gravel products and compacted depths specified in writing so quotes are comparable.
Typical cost in Alberta
No Land Intelligence estimate or current Alberta commercial price page meeting our sourcing standard was found for all-weather driveways. Machine rates from the most recent provincial survey are shown for reference.
| Item | Range | Source | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grader | $130 per hour (2016) | Custom Rates 2017 - Land Clearing and Breaking (surveyed fall 2016), Alberta Agriculture and Forestry | Official · 2017-09-25 |
| Dump truck | $100–$110 per hour (2016) | Custom Rates 2017 - Land Clearing and Breaking (surveyed fall 2016), Alberta Agriculture and Forestry | Official · 2017-09-25 |
| D6 Cat (dozer) | $150 per hour (most common, 2016) | Custom Rates 2017 - Land Clearing and Breaking (surveyed fall 2016), Alberta Agriculture and Forestry | Official · 2017-09-25 |
The Land Intelligence planning estimate for a standard gravel driveway (see the gravel driveway package) does not include the extra base layer and drainage this package adds. The provincial survey figures were collected in fall 2016 and published as "survey results only - not recommended rates"; trucking to the site is not included. Treat them as a dated reference point and get current written quotes.
Ranges are planning figures from the sources shown, not quotes. Get written quotes for your site.
Alberta rules and permits
- The Water Act covers any changes to drainage and the creation of ditches, berms and water crossings; landowners should contact Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for an approval before beginning. (Farmers' Advocate Office: The Water Act Essentials, Alberta Agriculture)
- Any activity that may impact a wetland requires either a Water Act approval or a Code of Practice notice, supported by a wetland assessment signed by an authenticating professional. (Alberta Wetland Policy implementation, Government of Alberta)
- A permit is required to install, alter or remove a physical means of access to a provincial highway; for municipal roads, check your county, as many require an approach permit. (Access management on Alberta highways, Government of Alberta)
- Submit a utility locate request before ground disturbance; members require a minimum of 3 full business days. (Digging Safely in Alberta, Homeowner Edition v1.4, Utility Safety Partners)
Sizing and planning
- Map where water reaches the route (upslope runoff, low spots, ditch outlets) before choosing gravel depths; drainage features are part of this package's scope.
- Note any wetland or channel the route crosses; crossings of a water body with defined bed and banks fall under the Code of Practice for Watercourse Crossings.
- Record soil conditions along the route; poor soils are the trigger for engineering on this package.
Alberta providers
6 providers identified. Good coverage.
JAK Paving Ltd.
UNCLAIMED
Identified
Service area based on publicly available information and/or Land Intelligence research.
Kelsey Paving Ltd.
UNCLAIMED
Identified
Service area based on publicly available information and/or Land Intelligence research.
Sureway Construction Group
UNCLAIMED
Identified
Service area based on publicly available information and/or Land Intelligence research.
Strathcona Excavating
UNCLAIMED
Identified
Service area based on publicly available information and/or Land Intelligence research.
Green Touch Landscaping
UNCLAIMED
Identified
Service area based on publicly available information and/or Land Intelligence research.
Common questions
How is this different from a gravel driveway?
It adds a base gravel layer, a surface layer and drainage so the road stays firm through thaw and wet weather. Because it moves water, it is more likely to touch Water Act rules on drainage.
Do I need an approval to dig ditches along my driveway?
Alberta Agriculture's Water Act guide says the Act covers changes to drainage and the creation of ditches and berms, and recommends contacting Alberta Environment and Protected Areas before starting.
Can the driveway go through a wet spot?
If it is a wetland, any activity that may impact it requires a Water Act approval or Code of Practice notice and a professional wetland assessment. Avoiding it is the first step the policy expects.
Will I need an engineer?
The package flags an engineer for poor soil conditions. Ask for a geotechnical opinion if the subgrade is soft or wet.
Sources
- Farmers' Advocate Office: The Water Act Essentials, Alberta Agriculture (2017-07-19 (reviewed 2018-12-18))
- Alberta Wetland Policy implementation, Government of Alberta (accessed 2026-10-26)
- Access management on Alberta highways, Government of Alberta (accessed 2026-10-26)
- Digging Safely in Alberta, Homeowner Edition v1.4, Utility Safety Partners (2025-04)
- Custom Rates 2017 - Land Clearing and Breaking (surveyed fall 2016), Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (2017-09-25)