Commercial Roads: Three Planning Tips for Durable Construction

Commercial Roads: Three Planning Tips for Durable Construction

20 May 2020
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog


Constructing a commercial road or driveway can be a challenging undertaking. Poor planning and execution can lead to numerous issues, including high costs, premature failure of the structure and even motor vehicle accidents. Therefore, if you are planning on building this type of structure, you should consult an experienced civil contractor. This specialist will provide guidance in professional structural design and construction. In addition, use these simple tips to plan for the construction of your roadway.

Prepare a Clear Plan

It is important to have a draft of your commercial road or an idea of the desired structure. Your chosen contractor will provide help in preparing a professional design and building the decided-upon structure. However, if you do not have a clear vision, this design process will be more difficult. In general, it is advisable to sketch out some ideas outlining issues like dimensions, vehicle movement and relationship with other structures. The exact plan should depend on the properties of the overall commercial property. You should also decide on the preferred materials during this phase. The right material should be selected after taking into account factors like strength, durability and appearance.

Determine the Capacity

The capacity of a road is an important consideration before construction. In simple terms, you must ensure that the designed roadway will be able to handle the weight and traffic demands after the building process is completed. Calculating the optimal load-bearing capacity is a challenging task which should be handled by a qualified engineer. However, you can provide assistance by having a clear estimate of the projected traffic situation on your commercial property. For instance, it is advisable to know the approximate number of cars expected per unit time. Also, discuss the average and maximum weight of the vehicles expected to use the roads. This will be invaluable information when constructing a strong and durable civil structure.

Plan for Adequate Drainage

The integrity of numerous commercial roadways is compromised by poor drainage. If there is no efficient removal of stormwater, issues can arise. For instance, flooding might occur in heavy rains, resulting in the deterioration of the structure. In addition, the lack of efficient rainwater removal increases the risk of accidents. Therefore, you should survey your property and discuss the issue with your contractor. When planning for commercial drainage, it is important to consider all relevant legal requirements and restrictions, especially environmental regulations.

Finally, establish a good safety plan to protect your construction workers and customers during the project period. 

To learn more, contact a civil works contractor.