Our Services
Full-Depth Reclamation: Rebuilding Failed Pavements Without Costly Hauling
Extend Pavement Life, Reduce Costs, and Reuse Existing Materials
Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) is a cost-effective, sustainable solution for rehabilitating roads, parking lots, runways, and asphalt surfaces. Instead of tearing out and replacing failed pavements, FDR reuses existing materials in place—saving time, money, and environmental impact. At Mt. Carmel Stabilization Group, we’ve been a national leader in FDR since our first project in 1949. Today, we reclaim over 100 miles of road each year, helping agencies and owners build stronger pavement systems with less disruption.What Is Full-Depth Reclamation?
FDR is a process that pulverizes the existing asphalt, base, and subgrade layers, blending them into a homogenous base material. A stabilizing agent—typically Portland cement or emulsion—is then mixed in to strengthen the base before it’s compacted, graded, and overlaid with new asphalt, chip seal, or concrete.
How the FDR Process Works
- Initial Pulverization: Asphalt and base materials are pulverized to desired depth
- Stabilizer Application: Cement or emulsion is applied to improve strength
- Mixing & Shaping: Materials are mixed uniformly and the road is reshaped
- Compaction & Grading: The new base is compacted for optimal performance
- Final Surface: Asphalt, chip seal, or concrete is placed on top
This technique not only restores the structural integrity of the pavement but also allows for correction of the road’s profile, improving surface drainage and long-term durability.
Why Choose FDR?
Cost-Effective – Eliminates the need for full-depth removal and hauling
Eco-Friendly – Recycles 100% of existing pavement materials
Minimizes Traffic Disruption – Faster construction, fewer closures
Improves Pavement Performance – Creates a stronger, more uniform base
Versatile Applications – Roads, gravel surfaces, parking lots, and more
Applications for Full-Depth Reclamation
- Rural and urban roadways
- County and municipal streets
- Commercial and industrial parking areas
- DOT pavement rehabilitation projects
- Airport runways
- Gravel or asphalt surfaces with structural failure
See FDR in Action
We’ve completed hundreds of full-depth reclamation projects across the U.S.—from road upgrades to large commercial parking lots. See how we’ve helped local municipalities rebuild aging infrastructure with full-depth reclamation. These recent projects showcase our efficiency, precision, and ability to deliver high-performance results with minimal disruption.
Three Bridges Road – Wabash County, IL
FDR used to rehabilitate aging rural roadway with improved cross-section and drainage.
Water Tower Road – Hamilton County, IL
Full-depth reclamation used to transform a deteriorated roadway into a durable base for new surfacing.
Hickory Hill Lane – Clay County, IL
Rebuilt a gravel road using FDR to reduce maintenance needs and improve drivability.
See Related Projects
Visit our projects page to view highlights of our industry leading work in soil stabilization.
Our crews complete over 500 unique projects every year, and we’re proud of the quality of work they perform.