Concrete driveway apron in Pittsburgh
The driveway apron is the part that meets the street, and it takes more of a beating than any other section. Trucks turn across it, plows hit it and salt sits on it all winter. It's also the part your town is most likely to have rules about.
Who controls your apron
The apron usually sits in the public right-of-way, even though you're the one who pays for it. That means your town or the state can have a say. In the City of Pittsburgh, curb cuts and work in the right-of-way go through the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. Boroughs and townships set their own rules, and a driveway on a state road may need a PennDOT highway occupancy permit.
We'll check what applies to your address, and we assist with the permit as part of the job. If a sidewalk crosses your driveway, the rules for that section may also apply.
How we build one to last
An apron has to carry more weight than the rest of the driveway. These are the details that keep it from cracking at the street.
- 6 inches of concrete, or more for heavy vehicles
- Steel across the width of the slab
- A transition that stops cars from scraping
- An isolation joint at the curb and sidewalk
- A flare wide enough for the turn
- Drainage that keeps street water out of your driveway
Replacing just the apron
If the rest of your driveway is fine, the apron can be replaced by itself. It's a common job after a street repaving or utility work. We saw a clean line where it meets the driveway and tie the two together. The price depends on the width and on any curb or sidewalk work. If the driveway also needs help, doing them together is cheaper, as you'll see on our concrete driveway replacement page.
How the job goes
- Check the rules
We confirm what your town requires.
- Permit
We assist with any permit the job needs.
- Remove
The old apron is saw-cut and taken out.
- Inspect
If the town needs an inspection before the pour, we arrange it.
- Pour
Base, steel and concrete go in.
Common questions
Do I need a permit for a concrete driveway?
Often for work at the street, and sometimes for the whole driveway. It depends on your town, and we confirm it for each job.
Do I need a permit for a driveway?
Usually, if you're adding a new curb cut or working in the right-of-way. Rules vary from town to town.
Do I need a permit for a driveway repair?
Often not for private repairs, but apron or sidewalk work is a different matter. We'll check for you.
Do I need a permit for a new driveway?
Very likely. A new driveway changes access to the street, so expect a zoning or right-of-way review.
Do I need a permit to pour a driveway?
That depends on the town and on whether the pour reaches the street. We look this up before quoting.
Do I need a permit to pour concrete driveway?
In the City of Pittsburgh, work at the curb goes through the mobility department. Suburbs have their own rules.
Do I need a building permit for a driveway?
Usually you don't need a building permit as such, but a zoning, grading or right-of-way permit may apply.
More driveway services
- concrete driveway installation
- concrete driveway replacement
- concrete driveway repair
- concrete driveway resurfacing
- stamped concrete driveway
- exposed aggregate concrete driveway
- driveway trench drain
- driveway drainage
- concrete driveway sealing
- driveway crack repair
- sunken driveway repair
- driveway extension