Roads the county doesn't maintain
Many homes in Edgewood, Stanley, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park and the Estancia Valley sit on private roads or shared easements. Nobody plows them, nobody grades them, and after every monsoon season the ruts and washouts get worse. Paving or chip-sealing a private road is one of the best investments neighbors can make together — and it's something we're set up to do.
Surface options for private roads
| Surface | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-mix asphalt | Most-used roads, steep grades, sections near homes | Highest upfront cost, longest life, smoothest ride |
| Chip seal | Long, lower-traffic roads and drives | Lower cost, textured surface, needs re-sealing periodically |
| Recycled millings | Budget upgrade from dirt or gravel | Firm and low-dust, but not a fully paved finish |
Built for hills, washes and snow
- Crown and ditches. A crowned road with ditches or swales keeps water off the surface — critical in monsoon country.
- Culverts at crossings. Arroyo and wash crossings need culverts or dips sized for real storm flows.
- Steep grades. In the foothills around Cedar Crest and Sandia Park, asphalt is often the only surface that won't wash out on a grade. We pave in a direction and method suited to the slope.
- Turnouts and widths. Room for two vehicles, delivery trucks and emergency access.
Splitting the cost with neighbors
We regularly price shared roads so the cost can be divided among property owners. We can break the estimate down by section or by lot, and phase the work over more than one season if that helps the budget.
Frequently asked questions
Can several neighbors share the cost of paving a private road?
Yes. We can provide one estimate for the whole road and break it out by section or property so neighbors can split it fairly.
Is chip seal good for a long private drive?
Very often. Chip seal gives a firm, dust-free, plowable surface at a lower cost than asphalt, which makes it popular for long rural roads.
Do you handle drainage and culverts?
Yes — grading, crowning, ditches and culverts are part of building a private road that lasts.
Keep reading
Chip Seal Paving
A firm, dust-free, rustic surface for long drives and rural roads at less than asphalt.
Learn more →Asphalt Millings
Graded and rolled recycled asphalt — firmer and less dusty than gravel at a lower cost than paving.
Learn more →Grading & Base Prep
Excavation, grading, culverts and compacted base — the groundwork behind lasting pavement.
Learn more →