Asphalt Paving in Bridge City, TX

Asphalt paving in Bridge City has to reckon with one of the worst storm surges in Texas history. On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike pushed a 22-foot surge into the city. More than 95 percent of buildings were gutted, the mayor estimated only 14 homes escaped the surge, and of about 3,400 houses, only 16 were habitable right after the storm. Much of the town has been rebuilt since, and a lot of driveways were rebuilt with it.

Named for a bridge

The area was first called Prairie View. After the Port Arthur-Orange Bridge, now the Rainbow Bridge, opened in 1938, it took the name Bridge City. It did not incorporate until 1970. All three main roads into the city, Chemical Road, SH 87 and FM 1442, cross water.

Low and wet

At about 10 feet of elevation, with water on many sides, Bridge City needs pavement built for saturation. A thick, compacted base, grades that move water off and supported edges are the basics. After major storms, we check for soft areas.

Growth

Bridge City counted 7,840 people in 2010 and 9,546 in 2020, and new homes have gone up since Ike. Newer driveways need seal coating and crack care to stay in good shape; older ones that survived the storm often need rebuilding.

Typical work

• Driveway replacement and new driveways
• Base repairs on storm-weakened pavement
• Business lots along SH 87
• Seal coating and striping

Bridge City has its own city rules, which we check before work at the street.

Rebuilt neighborhoods

After Ike, many Bridge City homes were rebuilt or raised, and driveways were rebuilt with them. Some of those post-storm driveways were put in quickly and are now showing wear: cracking, settling or edges dropping off. We check whether the base was built right and recommend sealing, repair or replacement accordingly.

Business lots

Businesses along SH 87 and Texas Avenue need lots that drain and look cared for. We patch, overlay, seal and stripe.

Neighborhoods off FM 1442

Neighborhoods along FM 1442 and the streets off Texas Avenue have a mix of older and rebuilt homes. Older driveways that survived the surge often need base work; newer ones need sealing and crack care.

Costs

National guides list new asphalt driveways at about $5 to $12 or more per square foot, seal coating at $1 to $2, and commercial lots at $2 to $4.50 per square foot. Base repairs and drainage work add to that. Everything is itemized.

Planning for storms

We check heights at the street and yard, plan where water will go and build a base that holds up when the ground is saturated. Edges are supported so they do not wash out.

New homes

Bridge City has added homes since Ike. New driveways should cure three to six months before sealing, then be sealed every few years.

Scheduling

Bridge City is about 20 miles from Beaumont. Most driveway jobs take two to four days.

After a storm

If your driveway cracked, sank or lost edges after a storm, call early. Keeping heavy vehicles off damaged areas keeps them from spreading until repairs are made.