We drive on them every day, but it’s incredibly easy to underestimate how much work goes into building a road.

Even before the asphalt is laid, there’s months, or even years of planning, site preparation, earthmoving, drainage, service installation and pavement construction that’s going on behind the scenes. For major road and transport projects, each stage needs to work with the next to ensure the infrastructure can handle traffic, weather and the needs of the community – now and into the future.

So, what actually happens between breaking ground and opening a new road to traffic?

Let’s take a closer look:

It starts well below the road surface

One of the most significant parts of road construction is the part you’ll never see. The site has to be prepared to create a stable foundation – that’s where civil earthworks come in.

Of course, it depends on the project, but earthworks generally include clearing and grubbing, excavation, cut and fill, importing or removing material, ground improvement and detailed grading. Our aim is to create the right levels and a strong, stable platform for everything that comes next.

For large infrastructure projects our experienced civil earthworks contractors need to consider existing ground conditions, surrounding infrastructure, access, environmental requirements and how thousands, or potentially millions, of cubic metres of material can be moved efficiently.

Drainage and services come next

Water and roads are not a great combination, and it’s critical that water doesn’t end up where it shouldn’t.

Drainage is an integral part of civil infrastructure construction, so before the finished road takes shape, our crews may install stormwater pipes, culverts, pits, channels and other drainage infrastructure that’s designed to manage water moving through and around the site.

Underground utilities may also need to be installed, relocated or protected. This can include water, sewer, electrical and communications infrastructure depending on the location and scope of the project.

For urban road projects, this stage can become particularly complex because construction is often happening simultaneously with the construction of existing roads, businesses, homes and services.

SEE Civil delivers road construction as part of both our major Infrastructure and Urban and Industrial Development capabilities, with experience spanning bulk earthworks, road construction, drainage, utilities and pavement works.

Building the pavement from the ground up

Once the earthworks, drainage and underground services are in place, the construction of the road itself can begin.

A road pavement isn’t just one layer. Generally it’s a series of engineered layers, with the design depending on factors such as expected traffic volumes, vehicle loads, ground conditions and the intended life of the road.

The prepared subgrade provides the foundation. Above this, pavement materials are placed, graded and compacted in controlled layers to create the strong foundation needed to support traffic.

Quality control is essential throughout this process. Levels, moisture, material properties and compaction all need to meet project specifications before the next stage can proceed.

At See Civil, our civil construction and engineering expertise makes a big difference, – a road needs to perform as a complete system rather than simply look finished from the surface.

Then comes the surface everyone sees

After the underlying pavement has been constructed, the final surface can be applied.
Depending on the project requirements, this could involve asphalt, sprayed seal, concrete pavement or another specified treatment. Kerbs, medians, intersections, footpaths and shared paths may also be constructed as part of the broader road corridor.

The final stages can include line marking, signage, barriers, lighting, landscaping and other finishing works needed to make the road safe and ready for use.

For projects involving an existing transport corridor, staging becomes another major consideration. See Civil contractors may need to keep traffic moving while sections of the road are widened, reconstructed or upgraded, requiring careful sequencing and coordination throughout construction.

More than simply building a road

Road construction brings together a range of civil construction services like earthworks, engineering, drainage, utilities, pavements, structures and traffic management. On larger projects, it can also include bridges, retaining structures, intersections and connections with existing transport networks.

Choosing the right civil contractor is an important decision. It requires people who understand how every stage connects and how decisions made early in construction can affect the finished infrastructure.

SEE Civil is a specialist civil construction company delivering construction and engineering solutions across Queensland and New South Wales, including major road, rail, aviation, mining and urban development projects.

Planning your next road or infrastructure project? Contact the SEE Group team to discuss how SEE Civil can support your project from early earthworks through to final delivery.