Replies

1. 
   DavidThomas | Jan 21, 2004 06:03pm | #1

   "can someone tell me what the initial construction cost difference?"

   Not in your particular case, it depends on distance from the hot-mix plant (if there is one in your area) versus local concrete prices (which vary widely). Generally, small jobs (30-foot driveway) are cheaper with concrete. Every GC in town thinks they know concrete and, asking around, and you can find some specialists that really do.

   Not so with asphalt. They need a lot more than 2x4's, stakes, and trowels to truck, lay it down, spread it, and roller it. But for large jobs like yours, they would typically come out ahead.

   Alaska has been doing remote trails with pressure-treated edges, typar fabrics underlaying, and flying in gravel with helicopters. And doing it cheaper than traditional trail construction. But if you want a paved surface, get bids both ways - concrete and asphalt. I'm betting on asphalt.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
2. 
   DaveMason2 | Jan 21, 2004 10:09pm | #2

   I think the first thing you should do is find out how much a yard of concrete cost and how much a sq foot of asphalt cost in your area.

    The cost vary depending on where you live. Up here in Alaska we're paying about $100 per yard for concrete and somewhere around $2 a sq foot for asphalt.

   I would crunch the numbers for you but I've been working on bids for a week and I just don't have it in me. :-)

                                                                                                    Dave