Live oaks and an old French town

Asphalt Paving in Ocean Springs, MS

Driveways that work around big trees, older lots and historic-district rules.

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Written, itemized quote with base and asphalt thickness listed
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Paving Under the Live Oaks

Asphalt paving in Ocean Springs means working around trees. The downtown streets are lined with live oaks, and many yards in the older parts of town have oaks that are far older than any driveway near them. Ocean Springs traces its start to Fort Maurepas, begun in April 1699 as the first permanent French outpost in French Louisiana, and it became a city on September 9, 1892. With that much history, a lot of driveways here are narrow, patched and fighting roots.

Root damage

Live oak roots spread wide and shallow. As they grow, they lift asphalt into ridges and crack it in lines that follow the root. Patching over a root only lasts until the root grows again. On these drives, we cut out the damaged section, look at the root and work with you on what is safe for the tree, rebuild the base and repave. Where a root runs under most of the drive, we talk through options such as shifting the drive or bridging the root zone with a thicker base rather than cutting major roots.

The historic district

Ocean Springs has a Historic Preservation Commission that issues Certificates of Appropriateness for work in its historic district, including landscaping and site improvements. Applications are due by the 7th of each month for the next month's meeting, the fee is $51, and the applicant has to attend the hearing. If your property is in the district, we check with the city's Planning Department on whether your driveway or parking work needs a certificate, and we build that timeline into the schedule.

Small business lots downtown

The downtown area is full of shops, galleries and restaurants with small lots, side lots and shared drives. These lots wear fastest where cars turn in and at the dumpster pad. We do full-depth patches where the base has failed, sealcoat, restripe, and work early or in sections so you do not lose a business day.

The bridge and the beach road

U.S. 90 runs along the beach and across the Biloxi Bay Bridge, which Katrina's 28-foot surge destroyed in 2005 and which was rebuilt and completed in April 2008. Properties that front U.S. 90 are on a state highway, so a new or changed driveway connection needs a Mississippi Department of Transportation permit, which we include in the plan.

Protecting what is next to the drive

Older Ocean Springs lots often have brick borders, shell or gravel paths and planting beds right against the driveway. We mark and protect them before work starts and finish the asphalt edge by hand where machines cannot reach.

Growing neighborhoods

The 2020 census counted 18,429 people and 8,264 housing units in Ocean Springs, 7.9% vacant. Newer neighborhoods on the edges of town mostly need maintenance: crack sealing, sealcoating and the occasional patch before small problems grow.

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Ocean Springs Facts

French beginnings. Fort Maurepas, the first permanent French outpost in French Louisiana, was begun at present-day Ocean Springs in April 1699; the town became a city on September 9, 1892.
Live oak streets. The historic downtown streets are lined with live oak trees, whose spreading roots are a common cause of lifted and cracked driveways.
Certificates of Appropriateness. The Historic Preservation Commission reviews work including landscaping and site improvements; applications are due by the 7th for the next month, with a $51 fee.
Bridge rebuilt. Katrina's 28-foot surge destroyed the 1962 Biloxi Bay Bridge; the new bridge partly opened November 1, 2007, and was completed in April 2008.

Our Services in Ocean Springs, MS

Ocean Springs Questions

An oak root is lifting my driveway. Can you fix it without killing the tree?

Often, yes. We remove the damaged section, look at the root and avoid cutting large structural roots. Sometimes the better answer is a thicker base over the root or a small change in the driveway's path.

Do I need approval to repave in the Ocean Springs historic district?

Site improvements in the district can need a Certificate of Appropriateness. We check with the Planning Department for your property before scheduling, since applications run on a monthly cycle.

Can you pave a narrow older driveway?

Yes. We use smaller equipment where space is tight and protect walks, beds and fences along the edges.

Do you work on small downtown business lots?

Yes. We patch, sealcoat and stripe small lots and schedule early or in sections to keep them open.

How do I keep leaves and moss from damaging my driveway?

Keep the edges clear so wet debris does not sit on the asphalt, and keep the surface sealed. Shaded drives under oaks stay damp longer, so edge maintenance matters more here.

Can you match my driveway to a brick or concrete border?

Yes. We pave up to the border, compact the edge by hand and keep hot asphalt off the brick or concrete.

Free Estimates in Ocean Springs, MS

Free estimates for Ocean Springs driveways and lots.

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