When a road is cut along a steep hillside, the embankment is excavated in such a manner that the roadbed rests on the original material of the hillside. This is called a full-bench road. There is no fill material used in this construction other than perhaps gravel for the surfacing of the road itself. All excess material should be hauled away. Any material pushed down the slope will become a major contributor of sedimentation. The terrain is usually steep enough to require special provisions for surface drainage. A ditch is usually constructed on the inside or next to the excavated bank to handle surface runoff.

However, when the slope is more moderate, the side-cast method of road construction can be used. This type of road uses the excavated material as fill for the lower portion of the road. If planned correctly and constructed appropriately, there will be no excess material which would need to be removed from the site. As described on the previous page, vegetation left at the bottom of the fill slope will help stabilize the fill.