Once the trees were down and the foundation work was buttoned up, I had C.H. Paving in to do the whole driveway. Cleared and graded the side yard first so they had access, then they ran a new asphalt run from the road up alongside the house. Skid steer on the apron, paver up the slope, roller behind. Taped it off to cure with caution tape and cinder blocks for a couple of days.
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Before From the doorway looking out at graded dirt before any pavement. This was the staging area for everything before it.
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Before Cleared strip beside the foundation with the downspout and concrete pad. Had to grade this clean before the paver came.
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During Side yard graded out, prepped for the new drive. Looks bare but everything underneath is set right.
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During Whole work area cleared and graded. From here the paver could just walk it up.
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During Side yard cleared after tree work — same area that was a brush jungle six months earlier.
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During C.H. Paving dump truck in. Asphalt day — I get out of their way.
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During Crew on the apron with the Case skid steer working the road edge first.
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During Skid steer finishing the apron at the road. That transition is what you trip on if it's done sloppy — they nailed it.
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During Regrading the road shoulder with the skid steer, hand crew raking it tight along the edge.
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During Fresh asphalt down beside the house, Wacker roller compacting at the far end.
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After Taped off with caution tape and a cinder block to keep cars off it while it cured. Patience.
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After New driveway curving alongside the house. Autumn color, finally a clean surface to walk and drive on.
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After Driveway meeting the road with the lake behind. The transition looks like it's always been there.
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After Asphalt run with the autumn foliage. After all the dirt and tarps, this view felt earned.
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After Looking up the new driveway toward the cottage on an overcast fall day. Done.
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Before Drive swept clean between the stone walls at Mohawk. Cleanup before the new drive went in.
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During Skid steer crew regrading the road slope after the drainage work was buttoned up.
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During Paving crew shaping the apron at the road. Spent a lot of time getting that pitch right.
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During Yard beside the drive cleared and graded after tree work and brush removal.
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During Old walkway pulled out alongside the steps so the new drive edge could tie in clean.
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After Fresh asphalt down with the lake in the background. Worth the wait.
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