On the west bank, across the river from downtown Baton Rouge
Concrete Contractors in Port Allen, LA
Replacement driveways, patios, walks and slabs for a river city whose homes mostly date from the 1940s through the 1960s.
- Free measuring visit at your property
- Written quote with each line priced
- Grade and drainage planned before forms go in
Concrete on the West Bank
Port Allen sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River, right across from downtown Baton Rouge, and concrete contractors in Port Allen mostly work on homes that have been standing for decades. The city's population grew from 1,898 in 1940 to 5,026 in 1960 and then leveled off, counting 4,939 people in 2020. That means much of the housing, and the driveways and walks that go with it, dates from the postwar years. We replace and repair that concrete, and we pour new patios, decorative concrete, walks, steps and slabs.
A river city with deep roots
Port Allen was founded in 1878 and named for Henry Watkins Allen, Louisiana's 17th governor. A ferry ran between Port Allen and Baton Rouge from 1820 to 1968, and the Huey P. Long Bridge opened on August 10, 1940. The town passed 5,000 residents in 1963 and became a city. The Port Allen Lock, built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1961, connects the Mississippi to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and shortens the trip to the Gulf of Mexico by about 120 miles. It also serves as a man-made break in the levee.
Older slabs on river soil
Port Allen sits at about 26 feet, behind the levee on the river's floodplain. Soils here are the fine sediments the river has laid down over centuries, and older driveways poured on them without much base tend to crack and settle over time. After 60 or more years, we commonly see:
- Narrow single-car drives that the family has outgrown
- Carport slabs cracked through the middle
- Front steps that have pulled away from the house
- Walks that dip and hold water after a rain
We remove the failed concrete, dig out soft soil, build a compacted base and pour new concrete with joints placed to control cracking.
Widening an older driveway
Many Port Allen homes were built when one car was normal. Widening a drive is one of our most common jobs here. Before we form, we check the property line, the location of the water meter and any cleanouts, and whether the widened section crosses a ditch that would need a culvert. We then match the new slab to the old or replace the whole thing if the original is past saving. We confirm with the city or West Baton Rouge Parish whether a permit is needed for your address.
Steps on older homes
Many Port Allen houses have front steps poured separately from the porch, decades ago, on a shallow footing. Over time they sink and pull away, leaving a gap at the top step. We remove them, dig to firm soil for a proper footing, and pour new steps with even risers. An isolation joint where the steps meet the porch lets each move on its own without cracking the other.
What we do in Port Allen
- Driveway replacement and widening: tear-outs, wider pours and new aprons
- Patios: backyard slabs and covered-patio pads
- Decorative concrete: stamped walks and patios
- Walks and steps: front walks, stoops and porch steps
- Slabs: carport, shed and detached garage slabs
- Repairs: sunken panels, broken walks and failed steps
Call (225) 239-2979 to set up a visit.
Port Allen Facts Worth Knowing
- Postwar housing. Population grew from 1,898 in 1940 to 5,026 in 1960 and was 4,939 in 2020.
- West bank. Port Allen sits on the west bank of the Mississippi at about 26 feet, across from downtown Baton Rouge.
- Port Allen Lock. Built in 1961, the lock links the river to the Intracoastal Waterway and is a man-made break in the levee.
- Founding. Founded in 1878, the city is named for Henry Watkins Allen, Louisiana's 17th governor.
Our Services in Port Allen, LA
Port Allen Questions
Can you widen my single-car driveway in Port Allen?
Yes. We check setbacks, utilities and drainage first, then either add a matching section or replace the whole drive if the original is badly cracked.
Why do older driveways here crack so much?
Many were poured on soft river soil with little base and no reinforcement. After decades of rain and traffic, the soil settles and the slab cracks. A new compacted base fixes the cause.
Do I need a permit?
It depends on the work and where it reaches. We confirm with the city or parish before we schedule, especially if the job touches the street, a ditch or a public walk.
Why do my steps pull away from the porch?
Older steps were often poured on a shallow footing in soft soil, so they settle while the house stays put. New steps on a proper footing, with an isolation joint at the porch, stay in place much longer.
Free Estimates in Port Allen, LA
Tell us your Port Allen street and what needs replacing, and we will schedule a free estimate.
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