Why are driveway culverts so narrow?

[JimH74]

I have had a few new neighbors put in narrow driveways and then fence their yards. The driveway gate is only inches wider than the narrow driveway. So you have to be almost perfect on the driveway or you'll hit the gate/gatepost. These are all on custom homes.

 

[finn]

Why in the world would someone be worried about how wide somebody else’s driveway is?

Does it feed your ego to know that your driveway is wider than that of someone you don’t know or will never meet? Or that your doors are wider?

First world problems!

 

[mmb617]

Why in the world would someone be worried about how wide somebody else’s driveway is?

Does it feed your ego to know that your driveway is wider than that of someone you don’t know or will never meet? Or that your doors are wider?

First world problems!

How dare you come in here and interrupt our grumpy old men piss and moan session?

You wait. Some day you'll be sitting there at the keyboard and you will suddenly realize you've joined the club.

But wait, you're bitching about us bitching, maybe you're already a member?

 

[jkeyser14]

Why in the world would someone be worried about how wide somebody else’s driveway is?

Does it feed your ego to know that your driveway is wider than that of someone you don’t know or will never meet? Or that your doors are wider?

First world problems!

Garage Journal needs a like button.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Always going to be that one guy who gets offended, and somehow thinks everyone else cares how he justifies it, and his decisions. If the shoe fits, I suppose.

No one said everyone with a 900’ driveway should make theirs, extra wide. We were specifically talking about shorter driveways, where the additional cost would be nominal. But thanks for telling us you have a driveway that’s nearly the length of a dragstrip. We all look up to you now. Go on... type your lengthy and witty reply, because we know you’ll feel the need to put us in our place.

It only has to be wide where you turn into the drive from the street. Who cares if the driveway is narrow, drive in the grass. The problem is you can't pull into the ditch turning into your driveway.

 

[buzzworth]

500 ft driveway here, 10 foot wide. When we built the house we had a 40 ft semi back in with the timberframe on it.
Biggest problem we have is UPS drivers will stop in the road and carry packages up instead of driving in. I've asked if there was a way I could get them to put something into their database that there is a circle and plenty of room to turn around. Appears there is not.

 

[16again]

Why in the world would someone be worried about how wide somebody else’s driveway is?

Does it feed your ego to know that your driveway is wider than that of someone you don’t know or will never meet? Or that your doors are wider?

First world problems!

Bud, I’m laughing my *** off! Best reply in this thread.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Bud, I’m laughing my *** off! Best reply in this thread.

Why in the world would someone be worried about how wide somebody else’s driveway is?

Does it feed your ego to know that your driveway is wider than that of someone you don’t know or will never meet? Or that your doors are wider?

First world problems!

I always get that warm and fuzzy feeling knowing I went outside the box�� Sometimes I'll make sure my doors are just an extra 2" wide to be different.

 

[justanengineer]

I prefer 16’+ wide driveways as we frequently have parties and it lets us use half the drive as parking space, but can’t say we’ve ever had issues with narrower ones. The current drive is 8’ wide, 150’ long, and meets the 12’ dirt road at 90*. Getting in/out even with a trailer isn’t difficult for a half decent driver so the wife and I haven’t had issues but I’m thinking of widening the culvert and flaring the driveway after an amateur steering wheel holder tore up the edge of the neighbor’s lawn. It’s not really necessary but I’m a fan of token efforts to be a “good neighbor.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AZ Pete]

What the hell are you guys calling a culvert? A culvert in our neck of the woods is a corrugated meal pile 1 to 4' in diameter to all ditch water to pass.

can be cast concrete pipe, corrugated plastic pipe, or corrugated steel.

 

[gnpenning]

Why in the world would someone be worried about how wide somebody else’s driveway is?

Does it feed your ego to know that your driveway is wider than that of someone you don’t know or will never meet? Or that your doors are wider?

First world problems!

Apperatly you didn't read the replies about getting delivery and service trucks and trailers in to those locations, especially when you add snow. We have more than one member here that would flip out if you put a tire in their lawn.

People that work in a office building never run into why it can be a problem.

You can put in any door or approach you want. Just expect to pay more. You can pay me now or you can pay me later.

Why does it bother you that it can be a problem......

 

[ludakris04]

no culvert here, but when our house was being built we had to review the plans (development), and they had our driveway go from the two car garage to a one car entrance.. its only about 30ft long.. if that..
I was pissed, and told them I would just be driving straight out and destroying any grass or anything there.
They agreed and changed the driveway design for the rest of the neighborhood. If the driveway was longer than 40' you got a single apron, shorter got a double.
Then when the second layer of driveway was to go on, I negotiated with the paving company to get it just wider than the outside of the garage. Surprisingly made a huge difference.

 

[Wrench97]

I'm lost when I was a kid a culvert was a pipe that ran under the road, is this like the math where everything changed.

 

[frank001]

I'm lost when I was a kid a culvert was a pipe that ran under the road, is this like the math where everything changed.

Your description of a culvert is exactly correct and what any civil engineer would use. What is being called a 'culvert' here is as far as I can tell, a ditch used for run off next to a drive way. Maybe it's a regional thing, but not normal description.

 

[Wrench97]

Your description of a culvert is exactly correct and what any civil engineer would use. What is being called a 'culvert' here is as far as I can tell, a ditch used for run off next to a drive way. Maybe it's a regional thing, but not normal description.

AKA an apron in these parts

 

[finn]

Apperatly you didn't read the replies about getting delivery and service trucks and trailers in to those locations, especially when you add snow. We have more than one member here that would flip out if you put a tire in their lawn.

People that work in a office building never run into why it can be a problem.

You can put in any door or approach you want. Just expect to pay more. You can pay me now or you can pay me later.

Why does it bother you that it can be a problem......

We have CDL exams that require a driver to back a trailer through a defined path, and, if I recal, around a corner to a simulated loading dock. I don’t remember the details, as I took the test a couple of decades ago.

If your delivery guy can’t do that, how did he get his CDL?

Nice try at deflection, by the way.

Maybe next time I build a house I should specify 6’ wide hallways and 4’ wide doors, along with an 8 lane driveway.

Don’t want to inconvenience the Amazon guy, you know.

If you really want to dig into things why not ask why the roads in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia are so narrow, twisty, and devoid of proper shoulders.

My driveway is better than most of them.

To the other posters that never heard of a culvert under a driveway: any area with regular precipitation of any extent will likely have some sort of drainage ditch alongside the public highways to control runoff. Here in Tucson, these ditches are rare because ti is so arid, so I don’t see many drainage ditches, just swales where runoff is allowed to cross the pavement and flow in more or less natural washes.

Driveways cross those man made ditches in wet climates that run parallel to the road, so a culvert is required to allow the water to flow, and not flood the road or the property above yours. Generally, a culvert is required for any “curb cut” where a driveway is installed to access your property.

In cities with storm drainage systems, all the runoff is handles underground, so you obviously wouldn’t need a culvert under your driveway.

 

[kylefitz]

I'm lost when I was a kid a culvert was a pipe that ran under the road, is this like the math where everything changed.

You're exactly right, some of us have these at the end of our driveways. In the city, drainage ditches next to roads are probably not real common due to storm water drainage systems. Out in the country however, drainage ditches next to the roads are common place. A culvert is a continuation of the ditch under the driveway, otherwise the driveway would be washed out every time it rains.

I have a 45' culvert at the end of my drive, the county says we can have a max of 60'. I was going to extend mine but decided to knock a tree down instead. One less thing to mow around and now I can swing my semi into the yard to keep the trailer out of the ditch. Eventually I will put down some fabric and 4" minus for a circle drive.

 

[nadogail]

We have CDL exams that require a driver to back a trailer through a defined path, and, if I recal, around a corner to a simulated loading dock. I don’t remember the details, as I took the test a couple of decades ago.

If your delivery guy can’t do that, how did he get his CDL?

Nice try at deflection, by the way.

Maybe next time I build a house I should specify 6’ wide hallways and 4’ wide doors, along with an 8 lane driveway.

Don’t want to inconvenience the Amazon guy, you know.

If you really want to dig into things why not ask why the roads in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia are so narrow, twisty, and devoid of proper shoulders.

My driveway is better than most of them.



To the other posters that never heard of a culvert under a driveway: any area with regular precipitation of any extent will likely have some sort of drainage ditch alongside the public highways to control runoff. Here in Tucson, these ditches are rare because ti is so arid, so I don’t see many drainage ditches, just swales where runoff is allowed to cross the pavement and flow in more or less natural washes.

Driveways cross those man made ditches in wet climates that run parallel to the road, so a culvert is required to allow the water to flow, and not flood the road or the property above yours. Generally, a culvert is required for any “curb cut” where a driveway is installed to access your property.

In cities with storm drainage systems, all the runoff is handles underground, so you obviously wouldn’t need a culvert under your driveway.

I recall driving on roads in West Viginia that were One and Half cars wide.

 

[rburke65]

Culvert.... a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railroad. Are you talking about an approach off a road to a drive?

 

[Jeepster04]

Most everyone around here calls pipes 'culverts.' Kinda irritates me as they never say culvert pipe, or anything that tells you what sortve culvert theyre talking about. There are many different types of culverts...

 

[rburke65]

I think...plastic, metal....concret3.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Culvert.... a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railroad. Are you talking about an approach off a road to a drive?

Yes I'm talking about the part that goes over a ditch where you turn onto your driveway.

 

[gnpenning]

We have CDL exams that require a driver to back a trailer through a defined path, and, if I recal, around a corner to a simulated loading dock. I don’t remember the details, as I took the test a couple of decades ago.

If your delivery guy can’t do that, how did he get his CDL?

Nice try at deflection, by the way.

Maybe next time I build a house I should specify 6’ wide hallways and 4’ wide doors, along with an 8 lane driveway.

Don’t want to inconvenience the Amazon guy, you know.

If you really want to dig into things why not ask why the roads in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia are so narrow, twisty, and devoid of proper shoulders.

My driveway is better than most of them.

To the other posters that never heard of a culvert under a driveway: any area with regular precipitation of any extent will likely have some sort of drainage ditch alongside the public highways to control runoff. Here in Tucson, these ditches are rare because ti is so arid, so I don’t see many drainage ditches, just swales where runoff is allowed to cross the pavement and flow in more or less natural washes.

Driveways cross those man made ditches in wet climates that run parallel to the road, so a culvert is required to allow the water to flow, and not flood the road or the property above yours. Generally, a culvert is required for any “curb cut” where a driveway is installed to access your property.

In cities with storm drainage systems, all the runoff is handles underground, so you obviously wouldn’t need a culvert under your driveway.

Lol.

Not sure why you went on a CDL rant. The driving test is done where it is possible to make those types of maneuvers, not what we have been talking about here.... Apples and bananas.

Talk about deflection!!!


Again, I could care less what size you make your things. Your money, spend it anyway you wish. Knock yourself out.

 

[Wrench97]

Yes I'm talking about the part that goes over a ditch where you turn onto your driveway.

Ditches aren't common around here but, now that you posted that I can understand what you mean.

 

[acer66]

How dare you come in here and interrupt our grumpy old men piss and moan session?

You wait. Some day you'll be sitting there at the keyboard and you will suddenly realize you've joined the club.

But wait, you're bitching about us bitching, maybe you're already a member?

Good one.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Last house was on a cul-de-sac, but not in the middle. Young couple bought the "flag lot" next to us & built a house. Nearly 300' on the "pole" part of the lot to reach the "flag" portion. They did put in a wide slab in front of the garage with a "turn around area", but never used it. The drive was 7 or 8 ft wide, winding through trees on the way up to the house. They'd invariably drive up, but back down! None of them could back... They clipped half the trees, & dented their cars, but mostly they backed over the buried cable pedestal near the end of the drive... I had satellite at the time so I didn't care......

You can't fix stupid.

 

[Diesel Dan]

At our location the county installs driveway culverts and uses 30' culverts. If you are on a state route the state only permits 20'. So if you own a piece of property the boarders both a county and state rd you'd want to install the driveway off the county rd so you can have a 30' wide driveway.

What is even more interesting is if two adjacent land owners want to **** their culverts together at the property lines the county is ok with a 60' road access. The state, no. Has to have gap of around 10'.

 

[mmb617]

At our location the county installs driveway culverts and uses 30' culverts. If you are on a state route the state only permits 20'. So if you own a piece of property the boarders both a county and state rd you'd want to install the driveway off the county rd so you can have a 30' wide driveway.

What is even more interesting is if two adjacent land owners want to **** their culverts together at the property lines the county is ok with a 60' road access. The state, no. Has to have gap of around 10'.

I'm assuming those rules are in place so there is access for cleanout if something gets jammed in the pipe.

My culvert and the next neighbor up the street have our culverts butted together so the total length is probably about 130 ft or so. It's a 15" pipe so it won't clog easily but I often wondered how it would be cleared if it did.

It wouldn't necessarily be my problem as the water would overflow upstream from me and run across the road since we are on the uphill side of the road, but still somebody would have to address that.

But then again I've lived here for 41 years and it hasn't been a problem yet.

 

[Rc_Guy]

People are cheap? Mine's about 20 feet wide.

How sad. I don't see how an extra wide culvert would ever cost you more in the long run. It would surely add to the property value.

It cost more to buy, more money for fill to cover it, more money for concrete or asphalt to cover it.

That being said, our culvert is 20' long and the asphalt over it is about 17' wide.

 

[ilikedirt]

I put a second driveway in at my house for the future garage and I installed a 40' culvert

That driveway is wider than the private road next door lol.

 

[Diesel Dan]

I'm assuming those rules are in place so there is access for cleanout if something gets jammed in the pipe.

My culvert and the next neighbor up the street have our culverts butted together so the total length is probably about 130 ft or so. It's a 15" pipe so it won't clog easily but I often wondered how it would be cleared if it did.

I'm sure that's part of the decision making process as well.
However the same road ditch can serve both highway and county roads and you will literally have two different standards only a hundred feet apart. The minimum diameter for the highway is 15".

On new driveway installs you pay regardless. Difference is the county does the design, install and only uses corrugated spiral steel culvert. The state just tells you what diameter pipe to use and you choose what material, double walled smooth bore plastic, steel or concrete.

For safety reasons the state routes are where you want wider driveway aprons. Narrow 2 lane truck routes where people routinely travel 60+ requires you to swing into the oncoming lane when pulling any trailer of length. With the rolling hills and limited line of sight it gets interesting.

 

[Jeepster04]

I think...plastic, metal....concret3.

Im thinking arch, box, pipe... So if someone says they have a culvert under their driveway it could be this

 

[Rc_Guy]

Im thinking arch, box, pipe... So if someone says they have a culvert under their driveway it could be this

To me that is a bridge.

 

[neverdone]

That’s a precast twin span box culvert, you can tell by the chamfers at the corners.

 

[fang123]

To me that is a bridge.

Except it's not. Box culvert.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Lived in 4 different states and this was considered a driveway culvert in all of them.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Except it's not. Box culvert.

Technically yes, buy to the average person it is a small bridge.

 

[rburke65]

Aaah no......it’s a culvert.

 

[dwaynerz]

Before you roll that culvert into the ditch and feel all good and such, call the township, county or state to see if you are at the bottom of the ditchline. If you dont, you may find when they eventually come to clean the ditches, your new culvert will not flow water because it's too high. Now you get a lake that takes forever to dry.

Also make sure you get the size called for by local authorities. A 12 inch culvert may seem adequate, but an 18 or larger pipe may be required. Culvert permits are easy enough to get.

And, most importantly, Don't bury them in concrete. When it comes time to replace, the township, county or state will straight up laugh at you because they aren't putting it back like they found it. You will get grade 8 rock, leveled and rolled in, maybe get checked on after a few weeks and readdressed if needed.

They will not restore your landscaping either, although every effort will be made to not disturb as much as possible.

Sorry to bring up stuff nobody else has, but that's how it goes. Highway dept does maintenance, and are not required to make you whole. It all depends on your attitude with the work crew. You do not have to kiss their rear, but instead act like an adult. You will be treated like an adult in return.

 

[Coblake]

I just installed an additional culvert in out ditch this summer. We live on a corner out in the middle of nowhere Georgia. Now our driveway creates an arc from road to road in front of our house.
County code for our culvert required a 24' long, 18" diameter concrete culvert. That surprised the hell out me. I had been thinking I was gonna lay down about 20' of 12' poly culvert. It did turn out really nice though.