Whether you’re a contractor or a construction project manager, most major construction projects will require the use of temporary site access roads to ensure the safety of your operation and keep your site up to code.

But without proper research and installation, these temporary roads can lead to major expenses for your construction site.

That’s why it’s important to create a cost-effective plan that reduces the requirement road expenses and helps your construction project run smoothly and efficiently.

Here’s what you need to know about temporary access road construction…

Why do I need temporary site access roads?

When you’re building a construction site in a previously undisturbed location, there likely won’t be any stable pathways for transporting construction vehicles to and from your operation.

Temporary access roads are required to create a safe working environment for your employees, and make it easy to deliver the materials you need to your site without the risks associated with bumpy, uneven roads.

What factors should I consider when building a temporary site access road?

Every construction site comes with a unique set of challenges.

Before you begin setting up your temporary access roads, you’ll need to weigh several key factors that can impact the sustainability of your project and help you pick the right materials for your needs.

Load Capacity

Unlike permanent roadways, temporary site access roads only need to withstand the weight of the vehicles coming to and from your site.

If you anticipate that your project will only call for a handful of trucks on-site, then the required load capacity of your temporary road will be significantly less than if you were using a fleet of heavy machinery and large transportation vehicles.

Weather Conditions

The one thing that no construction site can control is the weather surrounding your project.

However, if you know that your site is in a particularly rainy or windy area, you’ll need to offset potential damage to your road surface by selecting materials that are designed to withstand all weather conditions.

Project Length

Some temporary access roads will only be in place for a few weeks, while others may be needed for years at a time.

In either case, you’ll need to ensure that your site roads are durable enough to remain in place for the entirety of your construction project, so you can prevent costly repairs later down the line.

What materials should I use for my temporary roads?

While there are a few options available for building temporary site access roads, not only foundations are created equal.

To get the most out of your roads, you’ll need a material that can provide consistent soil stabilization and long-term durability.

With that being said, these are the most common materials used in various temporary access road construction methods…

Gravel

Relative cheap and easy to find, gravel has been a top choice for construction sites for many years.

However, since gravel is typically packed loosely, it may not provide adequate stability for large construction vehicles and is subject to deterioration in harsh weather conditions.

This can make gravel an unreliable foundation, especially for access roads that will be used for an extended period of time.

Dirt

Obviously, dirt roads are a simple solution to creating easy access for your construction.

But if your ground conditions are rough or unstable, it can pose a serious threat to the safety of those operating heavy construction vehicles on your site.
Most importantly, soil is prone to erosion and may become muddy in heavy rain, making it difficult to maintain the proper stabilization needs for temporary access roads.

GeoCell Base

Unlike gravel or dirt roads, Geocell technology offers a modern solution to temporary access road construction that gives you long-term durability at an affordable cost.

These unique honeycomb-shaped foundations are made with built-in water drainage to prevent road erosion and can be used with the infill material of your choice, so you can save money on your materials without compromising on quality.

And if you anticipate that your project will last for an extended period of time, Geocell bases are made to provide heavy load capacity that won’t break down after consistent usage, preventing you from needing to rebuild your access road later on.

Bottom line?

Temporary access road construction doesn’t have to be a burden on your project’s budget.

At BaseCore, we specialize in helping construction zones of all sizes meet their road requirements at an affordable price, and we walk you through every step of the installation process, so you can start building fast.

Connect with our team to learn more about our innovative Geocell temporary access roads today.