Asphalt Paving in Fellsmere, FL

Asphalt paving in Fellsmere means working on flat, low farmland where water is the first concern. On November 16, 2023, Fellsmere had major flooding after nearly 14 inches of rain, following an earlier flood on July 31 the same year. Driveways and lanes here need to sit above the surrounding ground and shed water fast.

A big, rural city

Fellsmere incorporated in 1911 and covers about 57.6 square miles of land, far more than its 4,834 residents (2020) would suggest. The most recent census found 1,431 housing units. Citrus groves and other agriculture surround the city.

First in Florida

In 1915, Fellsmere became the first municipality in Florida to grant women the right to vote, and Zena M. Dreier cast the first ballot.

Farm lanes and work yards

Agricultural properties need lanes and yards for trucks, trailers and equipment. We build them with a thicker base where heavy vehicles run and turn, crown the surface to shed water, and keep ditches clear so water can leave.

Raising the grade

On flood-prone ground, the most important step is building the drive up above the yard. We use compacted base to lift the finished surface and slope it to both sides.

Indian River County

Fellsmere is in Indian River County. We check the city's and county's requirements before any work at a public road.

Common jobs

• Rural driveways and shell conversions
• Farm lanes and loading areas
• Small business and church lots

Ditches and culverts

Rural drives here cross roadside ditches on culverts. If a culvert is too small, crushed or clogged, water backs up and floods the drive. We check culverts at the estimate and, where work reaches the public road, confirm requirements with the city or county.

Shell and dirt conversions

Many properties have shell or dirt drives. We regrade and compact sound material as base, add rock where it is thin, build the grade up above the surrounding ground and pave.

Heavy vehicles

Farm trucks and equipment need thicker pavement. We build heavier sections where they run and turn, and wider turning areas so tires stay on the pavement.

Phasing

On long lanes, we can pave the busiest section first and extend later, leaving a clean edge for the next phase.

Recycled asphalt

For long farm lanes, recycled asphalt is a lower-cost option. By HomeGuide's figures it costs about $4 to $9 a square foot, where new hot-mix starts at $5 and climbs past $12.

Timing

After a flood, the ground can stay saturated for weeks. We wait for the subgrade to firm up before paving so the base compacts properly.

A long way from the coast

Fellsmere is well inland, west of I-95, with more open land and fewer neighbors than the coastal towns. That makes staging easier on large jobs. We still plan around harvest seasons and truck traffic on farm properties, and we keep lanes open for the work that cannot stop.

Indian River County rules

Because Fellsmere is in Indian River County, permits and road rules differ from Brevard's. We confirm the exact requirements for your address before work starts.