801 - Concrete Driveways

801 Concrete Driveways

GENERAL (801.01)

Refer to the driveway permit for details.

Whenever possible, the driveway and driveway radii should be located entirely within the property lines of the business or residence the driveway serves. A driveway may extend across a property line separating properties owned by two different owners only if MDOT receives written approval from both property owners.

Curb Returns (801.01.1)

In general, Detail L curb openings are used at residential drives and Detail M curb returns are used at commercial drives. Check plans and permits for details on drive openings.

Driveway Sight Distance (801.01.2)

The profile grades for rural driveways should be set to provide adequate sight distance for the driver entering the highway. To accomplish this, the first 25 to 30 feet (8 to 10 m) of the driveway next to the edge of the pavement should be constructed as flat as possible. Obstructions on either side of the first 25 to 30 feet (8 to 10 m) of the drive should be removed whenever possible.

Slope of Drive (801.01.3)

Checking the driveway permit and Standard Plan R-29 Series for details of maximum drive slopes is important. It is particularly important to check these slopes when the sidewalk is close to the curb, the drive is on the low side of a superelevated roadway, or the crown of the road is severe.

MATERIALS (801.02)

Driveways may be constructed of reinforced or nonreinforced concrete. Division 6 of this manual should be referenced for concrete construction. Thickness and material type will be as called for on the plans. However, if making adjustments during construction is necessary, the following guidelines should be followed.

Drive Type	Thickness	See Note
Residential Concrete (back of curb to sidewalk)	6 inches (150 mm)	(1)
Residential Sidewalk (sidewalk to ROW)	5 inches (125 mm)	(1)
Commercial Concrete (heavy trucks)	9 inches (225 mm)	(2)
Commercial Concrete (medium to light trucks)	7 inches (175 mm)	(1)
Commercial Concrete (passenger cars)	6 inches (150 mm)	(1)
(1) Omit steel reinforcement unless locally required, or if the driveway is being reconstructed and the original driveway has reinforcing. (2) Refer to Standard Plan R-29 Series for appropriate steel reinforcement to be used for a given driveway thickness. R-29 also shows the additional length of thickened sidewalk.

CONSTRUCTION (801.03)

All unsuitable material should be removed and replaced with sound earth. The base is to be shaped and compacted to conform to the section shown on the plans.

Driveway Fill Slopes (801.03.1)

Headwalls on the ends of driveway culverts are generally no longer used. Instead of Headwalls, longer driveway culverts, traversable culvert end sections and traversable driveway side slopes should be provided. Traversable driveway side slopes are 1 on 6 or flatter.

The side slope on both sides of the driveway should be traversable on a two-lane highway. Only the side toward oncoming traffic needs to be traversable on a divided highway with a grass median or median barrier.

Driveway Culverts (801.03.2)

In general, driveway culverts larger than 15 inches (375 mm) should have sloped end sections in accordance with Standard Plan R-95 Series. Driveway culverts less than 15 inches (375 mm) in diameter will not require a sloped end section, but will require a standard end section as shown on either Standard Plan R-86 or R-88 Series.

MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT (801.04)

Concrete driveways will be measured and paid for as either Driveway, Reinforced Concrete ___ inch or Driveway, Nonreinforced Concrete ___ inch.

There is no separate pay item for Driveway Opening, Concrete, Detail L. This is paid for as the equivalent length, in feet (meters), of the adjacent type of curb and gutter. Driveway Opening, Concrete, Detail M is a separate pay item and is measured in feet (meters) from spring point to spring point (the point where the driveway radius meets the adjacent curb and gutter).

Culverts and end sections are paid for as separate pay items as described in Division 4, Drainage Features.