Soil Stabilization for Road Construction: FAQs

Road construction takes patience, expertise, and the best choice of materials. A major concern during road development is whether roads will stand up to Mother Nature. It’s hard to juggle unpredictable challenges like water and wind erosion control and frost heave. Reducing these risks is where soil stabilization for road construction can help.

If your construction company is on the fence about the benefits of stabilizing soil for road construction or is unsure what soil stabilizers will work best for your project, this FAQ guide is here to help answer any questions.

​What Is Soil Stabilization for Road Construction?

Soil stabilization for road construction is the technique used to improve the properties of the soil to make it more durable as a road surface. This process involves treating the soil or unpaved road with stabilizing additives to increase its durability and strength to prevent erosion. Soil stabilizers have the primary goal of increasing the load-bearing capacity of the roadway.

Why Is Soil Stabilization Necessary for Road Construction?

Without a solid foundation, a roadway can easily be washed away by rain, eroded by wind, or suffer from frost heave. Also, heavy traffic conditions can cause long-term damage to a roadway if it's not built with the best materials. Soil stabilization creates a much stronger foundation for roads and helps prevent costly repairs in the future.

What Are the Best Methods to Stabilize Soil?

There are several methods of soil stabilization for road construction, each with benefits depending on the roadway, geographic region, and budget. Some of these techniques include:

• Mechanical Stabilization: This involves physically mixing different types of soil or adding aggregates to improve the soil's strength and density.
• Chemical Stabilization: This method uses chemicals such as lime, cement, or fly ash to alter the chemical properties of the soil, enhancing its stability and load-bearing capacity.
• Polymer Stabilization: This newer technique uses polymers to bind soil particles, significantly increasing their resistance to water and erosion.

Each method has advantages based on a construction project's specified needs. It's worth exploring each type to see which would be the most efficient and cost-effective for your project.

How Expensive Are Soil Stabilizers for Roads?

The bottom-line costs are always at the forefront of construction planning. Some soil stabilizers will always be cheaper to apply, but the question remains if they'll be as effective or require constant reapplication. In reality, the overall cost of soil stabilization for road construction is dependent on several factors, such as:

• Roadway conditions
• Type of soil stabilizer used
• Amount and frequency of application
• Time of construction

Depending on these factors, the costs can range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars per mile. However, this investment can save extra expenses in the long term as stabilized roads require less maintenance, have a longer lifespan, and provide better resistance to weather and heavy usage.

Why Does Your Road Construction Need Soil Stabilization?

Unstable soil can lead to various problems like potholes, cracked roadways, and even road failure. The benefits of stabilizers are that they can improve road stability and resistance to erosion and weathering, reduce maintenance costs, and increase the lifespan of roads. 

Envirotac Soil Stabilization for Road Construction

As leaders in the dust control and soil stabilization industry, Environmental Products & Applications, Inc. offers a full range of environmentally friendly products to suit all construction needs. Our innovative solutions have been proven to stabilize even the toughest soils, preventing erosion and creating a stronger road foundation.

Contact us today to learn more about our Envirotac line of soil stabilization and dust control products.