Asphalt Paving in Sturgis, SD

Asphalt paving in Sturgis runs on the rally calendar. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs for 10 days starting the first Friday of August, and for those days, lots, campgrounds, driveways and side streets carry more traffic than the rest of the year combined. Businesses, campgrounds and homeowners who rent parking need pavement that is sound, drained and clearly striped before the end of July.

Scheduling around August

We recommend doing paving, patching and sealcoating in spring or early summer so asphalt has time to cool and cure and lines are dry well before the rally. Sealcoat needs 12 to 72 hours before vehicles, and new asphalt is soft on hot days for its first few weeks. After the rally, early fall is the time to repair damage and seal cracks before the freeze.

Kickstands and hot asphalt

Motorcycle kickstands concentrate weight on a tiny point, and on a hot August afternoon, asphalt softens. Kickstand pucks, a plate in designated parking rows, or a concrete strip where bikes park in long lines prevent most of the dents. Older asphalt that has hardened is less prone to it than fresh pavement.

Town background

Sturgis was founded in 1878 to supply nearby Fort Meade and was named for Civil War General Samuel D. Sturgis. It has been the Meade County seat since the county was formed in 1889. The 2020 census counted 7,020 residents, and the town sits at about 3,458 feet near Bear Butte.

Weather

Fort Meade's 1991 to 2020 normals show 47.6 inches of snow and 21.28 inches of precipitation a year, with a record low of 35 below and a record high of 109. That is wetter than Rapid City, so drainage is even more important on Sturgis pavement.

Approaches and county roads

For properties on Meade County roads, the approach permit costs $125 and is issued after the approach is built and inspected. Campgrounds and event properties with new entrances should plan permits well ahead of summer. Entrances on state highways go through the SDDOT area office.

Costs

HomeAdvisor lists asphalt lots at about $2 to $4.50 per square foot and $400 to $1,130 per space. HomeGuide lists striping at $4 to $5 per stall and $25 to $40 per accessible stall. For a campground or business planning for August, a spring patch, seal and restripe is often the best value.

Homes in town

Residential driveways in Sturgis need the same things as anywhere in the Hills: firm base, drainage and sealed cracks. Homes near downtown with older drives may need full replacement; newer homes on the edges mostly need maintenance.

Call (605) 605-1613 or

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