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Site prep

Asphalt installed on a steep slope

Asphalt driveway on sloped property

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Nestled on a steep hillside in Bellingham’s South Hill neighborhood, the installation of an asphalt driveway on sloped property required expert planning and execution from the ground up.

Ritter Dirt & Asphalt was hired early in the build to complete site work, including land clearing, foundation preparation and utility trenching for a custom luxury home. Once the structure was complete, we returned to do the final grading and installed a durable asphalt driveway designed to handle the property’s steep slope.

The result? A smooth, long-lasting surface that offers safe, all-season access for years to come.

A message from the builder, Slusher Luxury Homes: The paving on our 40th St project was the finishing touch we needed! It looked beautiful with the driveway finished! Thank you!

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Plan your hillside asphalt driveway project

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Is now the right time to plan your hillside asphalt driveway project?  If you’re reading this in the spring or summer months, the answer is yes!

Living on a hillside property in Bellingham can offer stunning views—but it can also come with unique construction challenges. If you’re in neighborhoods like South Hill in Fairhaven, Geneva, Sudden Valley, King Mountain, or along Chuckanut Drive, you know that steep slopes, poor drainage and stormwater runoff can complicate home improvement projects, especially when it comes to installing or replacing an asphalt driveway.

At Ritter Dirt & Asphalt, we provide asphalt paving solutions and have years of experience working on steep, uneven ground. Our team knows how to grade driveways for proper stormwater runoff, prevent erosion and build durable surfaces that hold up to the Northwest’s wet weather.

Slope stability and stormwater control are two of the most critical issues to address when building on hillsides. If the slope isn’t managed correctly, water can pool or run too fast, leading to cracks, potholes and premature failure of your asphalt driveway. Ritter’s excavation and paving team takes the time to evaluate the grade, drainage and surrounding landscape so your project is built to last.

If your property is in the Lake Whatcom watershed, construction activities are seasonally restricted. The watershed construction schedule limits ground-disturbing activities like excavation and paving to June 1 through September 30. That means property owners in this environmentally sensitive area have a narrow window each year to plan and complete stormwater upgrades, land clearing, gravel driveway maintenance and asphalt paving projects.

Whether you need a brand-new asphalt driveway or are looking to replace an aging one, Ritter is equipped to handle the complexities of hillside paving. We work closely with property owners to create a plan that fits the landscape, protects your property from runoff damage and adds lasting value to your home. Don’t wait! Reach out to Ritter Dirt & Asphalt now for a free quote and get your project on the schedule. With Ritter’s experience in asphalt paving and hillside excavation, you can feel confident that your driveway will be built to perform—rain or shine.