New Asphalt Driveway Installation in Tigard, Oregon

Installing a New Asphalt Driveway in Tigard

A new asphalt driveway adds real value to a Tigard home — better curb appeal, a smooth surface that handles the Portland-area wet winters, and decades of life when it is built right. In this Washington County suburb, "built right" depends heavily on the lot. A flat parcel in an established neighborhood and a sloped lot climbing Bull Mountain call for different drainage and base strategies, and getting that part wrong is the fastest way to a cracked driveway.

This guide walks through how a new driveway gets installed in Tigard, from the first excavation pass to the day you park on it. For the broader statewide version, see our step-by-step asphalt driveway installation process guide.

The Installation Process, Step by Step

1. Site Assessment and Layout

The crew measures the area, checks the grade, and plans drainage. In Tigard this step is especially important on sloped lots — the plan has to direct water off the driveway and away from the garage rather than letting it run down to the street and pool.

2. Excavation and Grading

The existing surface and topsoil come out to a stable subgrade, typically 8 to 12 inches depending on soil. Washington County's silty clay drains slowly, so the crew grades to shed water and over-excavates soft spots. On a hillside, grading also establishes the safe traction profile.

3. Sub-Base and Base Rock

Crushed aggregate base rock is laid and compacted in lifts. In wet clay soils, a deeper base and often a geotextile fabric between the subgrade and rock keep the clay from pumping into the base over time. Good compaction here is what holds the asphalt together through winter.

4. Asphalt Paving

Hot-mix asphalt is delivered and spread, usually a binder course topped by a finer surface course, totaling 2 to 3 inches compacted on a residential driveway. On steeper grades the crew may use a finish that improves traction.

5. Compaction and Edging

A roller compacts the asphalt to lock in density. Edges are shaped and supported — important on Tigard lots where soft shoulder soil or a slope can let unsupported edges crumble. Hand work finishes the apron and walkway transitions.

6. Curing

Fresh asphalt cures slowly and stays soft in warm weather for weeks. Most contractors advise waiting a few days before driving on it and longer before parking heavy vehicles or turning sharply — extra caution on a slope where soft asphalt can scuff.

Permits and the Driveway Approach

Where your driveway meets a public street — the approach or apron — is regulated by the City of Tigard or, on some county-maintained roads, by Washington County. A new or modified approach typically requires a permit and must meet sight-distance and drainage standards, which matter even more on a sloped lot near a busy road. A contractor who works in Tigard regularly will know which jurisdiction applies and build the approach to code.

Base Prep and Slope: The Two Things That Matter Most

For a Tigard install, two factors decide longevity. The first is base prep for the area's wet clay soils — a deep, compacted, well-drained base keeps water from saturating the foundation and cracking the asphalt from below. The second is slope management on hillside lots:

• Grading that sheds water off the driveway, not down it
• Drainage features — channel drains, swales — to handle winter runoff
• A traction-friendly surface finish for safe footing
• Edge support so the downhill side does not slump

Get both right and the driveway lasts 20-plus years and stays safe in winter. Cut corners on either and the hillside and the rain will find the weakness fast.

After Installation: Protecting the Investment

A new driveway should cure for several months before its first sealcoat. After that, regular maintenance keeps water out and the surface flexible. Our asphalt driveway maintenance services cover the sealcoating and crack repair that protect a new Tigard driveway through the wet season. For the full picture of owning an asphalt driveway in Oregon, our complete asphalt driveway guide for Oregon ties it together.