Roadside Management Toolbox: Side Slopes

Treatment	Gravel Mulch	Irrigated Vegetation	Patterned Concrete Pavement	Rock Blanket	Rock Slope Protection (RSP)
Area(s) of use
Area(s) of use	All Areas	All Areas	Urban/Suburban	Urban/Suburban	Transition/Rural and Natural
Est. Installed Cost	$10 - $23/yd2	$16 - $24/yd2	$100 - $125/yd2	$85 - $120/yd2	$25 - $85/yd2
Constructability	5	4	4	3	4
Ease of Repair	8	7	4	5	5
Context Adaptable	Use locally obtained gravel to match local soil color	Match to existing vegetation	Variable color/texture, match to corridor	Variable color/texture	Use locally obtained material to match color
Life Cycle (years)	5-8	15-20	15-20	15-20	10-12
Consult with	Maint.	Maint., L. Arch	Maint., L. Arch, Enviro.	Maint., Traffic, L. Arch	Maint., L. Arch
Comments	Use only in combination with geotextile barrier or herbicidal fabric under mulch. See detail. Slope installation may require cellular confinement material for stability.	Requires establishment period to control weeds until full coverage is attained.	Proper base design and preparation is necessary to prevent cracking and subsequent weed growth. Matching color and pattern for repairs is difficult.	In gores or other traffic areas cobble "roughness" must be limited, see detail. Installation adjacent to guard rail posts requires "leave-out" section.	Repair and replacement is typically minimal and can be conducted by Maintenance crews with existing equipment. Vegetation may occur in spots.

Updated May 24, 2012