My gravel driveway in Riverview is rutting badly every spring — is a concrete driveway a realistic upgrade and what thickness do I need for a half-ton pickup?

A concrete driveway is an excellent long-term solution for your Riverview rutting problem, and 5 inches thick with proper reinforcement will easily handle a half-ton pickup. Your spring rutting is classic Maritime clay soil behavior — the freeze-thaw cycles and spring melt turn that clay into soup, and gravel just sinks in and spreads out.

Why Concrete Works for NB Clay Soils

Concrete creates a rigid, continuous surface that distributes vehicle weight over the entire slab area instead of concentrating it at wheel contact points like gravel does. Once properly installed over a prepared base, concrete won't rut, shift, or require annual re-grading like gravel. In Riverview's clay soil conditions, this is transformative — you'll go from spring driveway maintenance headaches to decades of maintenance-free access.

The key is proper base preparation. Your contractor will excavate 8-10 inches below the finished concrete surface, removing the organic topsoil and any soft clay. They'll install 4-6 inches of compacted granular base (typically 3/4-inch crushed gravel) that creates a stable, well-draining platform. This base prevents the concrete from settling unevenly and provides drainage so water doesn't pool under the slab during spring thaw.

Thickness and Reinforcement for Your Half-Ton

Five inches is the standard thickness for residential driveways in New Brunswick and will handle your pickup truck with no issues. A half-ton truck weighs roughly 5,000-6,000 pounds — well within the capacity of properly reinforced 5-inch concrete. You'll want air-entrained concrete (32 MPa minimum) to handle Riverview's 150+ annual freeze-thaw cycles, plus welded wire mesh or rebar on 18-24 inch centers to control cracking.

Some contractors might suggest 4 inches thick to save money, but the extra inch of concrete adds significant durability for only $1-2 more per square foot. In NB's punishing climate, that extra thickness pays for itself in longevity.

Riverview-Specific Considerations

Your location near the Petitcodiac River means you're in a clay-heavy area that holds moisture. Ensure your contractor includes proper drainage — the driveway should slope away from your house at 1-2% grade, and consider adding a drainage swale or French drain along the sides if water tends to pool. Spring is actually ideal timing for this project since the clay will be fully thawed and your contractor can see exactly how water moves across your property.

Realistic Costs and Timing

Expect to pay $8-12 per square foot for a standard broom-finish concrete driveway in the Riverview area. A typical two-car driveway (20x20 feet = 400 sq ft) would run $3,200-4,800 including excavation, base preparation, and installation. The optimal timing is May through September when contractors can properly excavate your clay soil and concrete can cure without freeze protection.

When to Hire a Professional

This is definitely a job for a professional concrete contractor. Proper excavation in clay soil, base preparation, concrete placement, and finishing require experience and equipment. A driveway pour involves 4-6 cubic yards of concrete that must be placed and finished within a narrow time window — there are no second chances.

Need help finding a professional concrete contractor? New Brunswick Concrete can match you with experienced local contractors familiar with Riverview's soil conditions for free estimates on your driveway upgrade.