Home of the Atlas Portland Cement Company

Asphalt Paving in Northampton, PA

Older borough driveways and small lots in the town that supplied cement for the Panama Canal.

Free estimates at your property
Itemized written quote: base depth, asphalt thickness and edges
Street and alley permit questions answered before work is scheduled

Paving in the Old Atlas Town

Asphalt paving in Northampton happens in a town built by cement. For most of the last century, Northampton’s Atlas Portland Cement works (1895-1982) was called the biggest cement company anywhere. It supplied about eight million barrels of cement for the Panama Canal. Three villages, Siegfried, Newport and Stemton, merged into the borough in 1902; today about 10,395 people (2020) live on roughly 2.5 square miles.

Borough streets

Nearly all of Northampton’s 35.90 road miles (2012 count) are borough streets: 33.81 of them. The state’s share is only 2.09 miles, essentially PA 329 on 21st Street, the one numbered route in town. For most homes, the borough sets the rules at the curb; for driveways on 21st Street, PennDOT's Highway Occupancy Permit applies to new or changed connections.

Older housing

Northampton's population was 9,839 in 1930, close to today's figure, so much of its housing stock is pre-war. Driveways are typically short and narrow, often leading to a detached garage at the back, and many have been patched and overlaid several times. Replacing those driveways usually means removing the built-up layers, fixing the base and paving at a height that drains away from the house.

River town drainage

Ground slopes down to the Lehigh, which is the borough’s west edge. Lower lots collect runoff from above. We check where water enters and leaves a property before setting the grade on a new driveway.

Limestone country

The cement industry was here because of the limestone. In karst areas, Pennsylvania American Water notes, stormwater soaking through cracked pavement can contribute to sinkholes. Keeping cracks filled and water moving off the pavement is good practice for any driveway in the area.

Climate

Northampton’s January mean is about 28.8 degrees; July’s is about 73.7. The paving season runs from late spring into fall; crack filling is best before the first hard freeze.

What to expect on the day

Removal usually happens on day one, followed by base grading and compaction. Paving follows once the base is ready, often on day two. You will be asked to keep cars off the new surface for a few days, longer in hot weather, and to avoid turning wheels in place for the first weeks.

What we do

Driveway replacement and resurfacing
Patching, edge repair and crack filling
Sealcoating
Church, club and business lots, including restriping

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Northampton Paving Notes

Atlas cement. From 1895 to 1982 Atlas Portland Cement ran here, and roughly eight million barrels of its cement went into the Panama Canal.
Borough formed from villages. Siegfried, Newport and Stemton joined to create the borough in 1902. It had 10,395 residents at the 2020 census.
Roads. Borough crews care for 33.81 of the 35.90 road miles counted in 2012; the state's 2.09 miles are mostly PA 329 on 21st Street.
Climate. January means near 28.8 degrees, July means near 73.7; USDA zone 6b.

Our Services in Northampton, PA

Northampton Questions

My driveway is on 21st Street. Does PennDOT get involved?

21st Street carries PA 329, a state route. Building or changing a driveway connection to it requires a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit. We check before scheduling.

My old driveway sits higher than the sidewalk. Can you lower it?

Yes. We remove the old layers and rebuild at the right height so water drains to the street.

Do you pave club and church lots?

Yes, including overlays, patching and restriping.

When is the best time for crack filling?

Late summer and early fall, before the first hard freeze.

How long until I can drive on new asphalt?

Usually two or three days, longer in hot weather.

Do you work across the river in Whitehall and Coplay?

Yes. We work on both sides of the Lehigh, from Northampton and Catasauqua to Whitehall and Coplay.

Is a sealcoat worth it on an older driveway?

If the surface is solid with separate cracks, yes. If it has widespread alligator cracking, the money is better spent on replacement.

Free Estimates in Northampton, PA

Free estimates for Northampton driveways and lots.

Call (610) 620-2512 Free Estimate