Asphalt Paving in Diamondhead, MS

Asphalt paving in Diamondhead is different from the rest of the coast because the land is not flat. Diamondhead has rolling terrain with elevations from sea level to over 100 feet, the highest ground on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. On a sloped lot, water runs down the driveway every time it rains. If it is not controlled, it washes out the edges, undermines the base and carves channels along the side. Every Diamondhead drive we pave is designed around where the water goes.

Sloped and curved driveways

On steeper drives, we build a thicker base and compact it in layers so it does not creep downhill. We shape a slight crown or cross slope so water runs off to the side instead of down the center, and we firm up the shoulders so the edge does not crumble. Where a drive curves on a slope, the inside of the curve takes extra wear, and we build it accordingly.

Culverts at the street

Many Diamondhead lots cross a roadside ditch to reach the street. The city requires a culvert permit to install a culvert for a driveway or landscaping, and the form is available from the city. When we replace a driveway that crosses a ditch, we look at the existing pipe. A crushed or undersized culvert backs water up onto the drive and the road, so we include the pipe and permit in the plan when they need work.

A planned resort community

Diamondhead was planned in 1969 as a resort community with Hawaiian-style architecture and road names, taking its name from Diamond Head on Oahu. The I-10 exit opened in October 1970, and by the end of the 1970s about 6,500 of 10,000 lots had sold. Many homes date from the 1970s and 1980s and sit on wooded lots, so tree roots and shade are common driveway problems. Roots lift and crack asphalt, and shaded pavement stays damp and grows moss. We repair root damage carefully and keep edges clear.

A new city

Diamondhead received its charter on February 6, 2012, as Mississippi's 111th city, after decades as an unincorporated community managed through its property owners association. The 2020 census counted 9,529 residents with a median age of 51.0, and 4,570 housing units. Many owners want a smooth, safe drive with no trip edges, built to last without much upkeep.

Shaded, wooded lots

Many Diamondhead homes sit under tall pines and hardwoods, so the drive gets little sun. Shaded asphalt stays damp, grows moss and loses its edges faster. Keeping the surface swept, trimming back low growth and sealing every few years help it dry out and last.

After Katrina

A surge of nearly 30 feet in 2005 badly damaged the south side of Diamondhead facing the Bay of St. Louis. Homes rebuilt there often have newer drives that now need their first sealcoat.

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