Asphalt Paving in Boone, IA

Asphalt paving in Boone often starts with removing something old. Boone was platted in 1865 around the Chicago and North Western railroad, grew fast through 1920, and then held steady: the population was 12,451 in 1920 and 12,460 in 2020. That means a large share of the city's houses, alleys and driveways were laid out a century ago, and many driveways have been patched and resurfaced several times since. Census figures show 71.6 percent of Boone homes are owner-occupied, with a median value of $173,000.

Old driveways, narrow lots

Older Boone neighborhoods have narrow lots, single-car garages set back by the alley, and driveways squeezed between houses. Access is the first thing we look at, because a paving machine may not fit and some of the work has to be done with smaller equipment. Many of these driveways were built on whatever base was there, and the low ends near the street or alley have settled. We remove the old surface, rebuild the base where it is soft and pave fresh.

Winter here is a little harder

Boone sits higher than Ames, at 1,142 feet, and its climate records show 35.9 inches of snow in an average year and a record low of minus 35 degrees. More snow means more plowing, more salt, and more meltwater running across driveways in March. Edges that are not supported get broken off by plows, and cracks fill with water and freeze. Crack filling in early fall and a sealcoat every few years make a real difference here.

Rural drives in Boone County

If your home is on a county-maintained road outside town, Boone County requires an entrance permit for any new entrance or extension. There is no charge, and county Secondary Roads staff come out to evaluate sight distance and drainage, including whether a culvert is needed. We schedule paving after that review.

Business and church lots

Boone draws visitors for the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad and Pufferbilly Days, and the city has a long list of local employers. We overlay, patch and stripe lots for businesses, churches and apartment buildings, and we can phase the work around events and business hours.

Alley approaches

Where an older Boone home is reached from an alley rather than the street, the alley apron takes a beating from garbage trucks and plows, and the joint between an alley and a driveway is a common place for potholes. We rebuild that joint with a thicker section so it holds up.

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