Asphalt Paving in Union City, CA

Asphalt paving in Union City means working in a city that was assembled, not planned all at once. Union City incorporated in 1959 by joining the old towns of Alvarado and Decoto, and it had just 6,618 residents in its first census. By 1980 it had 39,406, and the 2020 census counted 70,143. Most of that growth arrived as tract housing in the 1970s and 1980s, which means many driveways in town are now on their second or third surface, and a fair number are still on their first.

Older driveways in older neighborhoods

A driveway that has been through forty-plus wet winters often has a base that has given out, even when the top looks only tired. The signs are connected cracks, a low spot near the garage that holds water, and edges breaking into the planter strip. When we see those, we usually recommend removing the old pavement, replacing soft clay with compacted rock, and paving fresh. Where the base is still firm and the problem is surface wear, a resurfacing overlay can be the cheaper path, and we show you which case you are in.

What the soil study says

Union City's general plan geology section, written for the area around the BART station, maps Rincon clay loam under about 51 percent of that area and Clear Lake clay under about 27 percent, and rates both as moderately to highly expansive. The same study puts most of that district around 25 feet above sea level and nearly flat. Flat, clay-heavy ground drains slowly, so on every Union City job we pay attention to where water goes once it leaves the pavement.

The fault on the east side

The Hayward Fault runs along the base of the hills on the city's eastern edge, and the city's own study places the nearest trace near Veneto Avenue. Fault creep is slow, but it bends curbs and opens lines of staggered cracks in asphalt over the years. On properties near the hills, we plan regular crack sealing as part of the upkeep.

Driveways, lots and the property line

Union City's commercial side runs from Union Landing, the shopping center that opened in 1999 by I-880, to the industrial areas along the old rail lines. We pave and maintain lots for retail, offices and multifamily properties as well as homes. For any job, the city's rule is simple: the public right-of-way starts at the private property line, and driveway, curb, gutter or sidewalk work past that line needs an encroachment permit from Public Works with a performance bond. We flag that at the estimate.

How a Union City estimate goes

We walk the driveway or lot with you, measure it, and look closely at three things: where water goes after rain, whether any area flexes or sounds hollow, and how the pavement meets the garage, walks and apron. On clay we sometimes probe or dig a small test spot to see how thick the existing base is. The written quote that follows lists the base depth and asphalt thickness so you can compare it line for line with any other bid.

Decoto, Alvarado and the hills

Decoto's older streets sit near the BART station and the planned downtown east of it, where about 800 mixed-use units are part of a $100 million expansion. Alvarado, on the west side, was home to the California Beet Sugar Company, the first successful U.S. beet sugar mill, from 1870 until 1977. Newer neighborhoods climb toward the hills on the east. Pavement age, grade and access change from one area to the next.

Next step

Every quote starts with a visit to measure, check drainage and look at the base. Call (510) 998-2728 or

Get a Free Estimate

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