Coastal Driveway & Hardscape Installation
Location: Shirley, BC, Sooke Lighthouse Road
Project Value: Approx. $75,000
Project Type: Driveway, retaining walls, pathways, and patio
Environment: Coastal, steep terrain, high rainfall, exposed conditions
Project overview
This property sits along Sooke Lighthouse Road in one of the most exposed coastal environments on Southern Vancouver Island. The goal was to create safe, durable access to the home while transforming the outdoor space into something functional, stable, and built to handle harsh West Coast weather.
The project included a new driveway, rock and boulder retaining walls, connecting pathways, and a lower patio area, all designed to perform long-term in an area with heavy rainfall, ocean exposure, and steep grades.
Site challenges and client goals
This was not a typical residential site. The property is located along a coastal embankment overlooking the ocean, with limited room for error.
Key challenges included:
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- Steep slopes requiring careful equipment access and operation
- Coastal exposure with significant rainfall and wind
- Drainage management for the entire property
- Engineered approvals for the driveway approach over the embankment
- Working safely with machinery on sloped terrain
- Long-term erosion control in a high-risk environment
The client wanted a solution that was not only visually strong but engineered to last, without ongoing settling, washouts, or drainage failures.
Our approach and solution
Given the environment, we designed and built the entire project on an open-graded base system, allowing water to move freely through the structure instead of building pressure underneath it. This approach is critical for coastal properties where traditional compacted bases often fail over time.
We worked with engineers to secure approvals for the driveway approach over the embankment and carefully staged material and equipment to safely construct boulder walls on steep slopes. Drainage was treated as a core part of the design, not an afterthought.
Every element of this project was built to manage water first, then deliver function and aesthetics.
Scope of work
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- New driveway installation
- Boulder and rock retaining walls
- Pathways connecting the driveway, home, and patio areas
- Lower patio construction
- Full-site drainage planning and implementation
- Engineered driveway approach over a coastal embankment
Materials used
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- Barkman Rosetta Steps
- Belgard Landing Steps
- Newstone Manhattan Slabs
- Newstone Standards
Base and structural materials included:
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- 20 tons of blasted rock
- 40 tons of clear crush
- 12 tons of 4–6 mm crushed rock
These materials were selected to support the open-graded system and provide long-term stability in wet, coastal conditions.
Drainage and structural performance
The entire project was built to withstand heavy rainfall and coastal runoff. The open-graded system allows water to drain vertically and laterally without trapping moisture under the driveway, walls, or patio.
This approach significantly reduces:
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- Freeze-thaw movement
- Hydrostatic pressure behind walls
- Long-term settling
- Erosion and washouts
For exposed coastal properties like this, drainage performance is the difference between a project that lasts decades and one that fails prematurely.
Results
The completed project provides safe, stable access to the property while blending naturally into the rugged coastal setting. The driveway, walls, and patio now function as a cohesive system designed for the realities of Vancouver Island’s west coast climate.
Most importantly, the site is now protected against water-related issues that commonly affect coastal and hillside properties.
Why this project matters
This project is a strong example of the type of work we specialize in. Complex sites, coastal exposure, steep slopes, and drainage-heavy builds require experience, planning, and the right construction methods.
This is where shortcuts fail, and where proper design and execution make all the difference.
Project Gallery
Planning a coastal or sloped property project?
If your property is exposed, steep, or dealing with drainage challenges, it’s critical to work with a contractor who understands West Coast conditions. We’d be happy to review your site and talk through what’s realistic, durable, and built for the long term.
Contact Victoria Interlock to schedule a consultation.
