This paper presents the results of a field experiment in applying horizontal membrane barriers to control longitudinal cracking in a bike trail pavement. A detailed site investigation of the test section was made to characterize the subsoil conditions which include classification, gravimetric and volumetric moisture content, engineering properties, matric suction versus depth, and soil water characteristic curve. The field experiment involves evaluating the effect that three widths of the horizontal membrane barrier beyond the edge of the pavement have on reducing longitudinal cracking. The premise controlling the behavior of this pavement is that changes in matric suction result in a horizontal shrinkage component that causes the longitudinal cracking. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the horizontal membranes involves the influence of the edge moisture variation distance and the active depth. In summary the horizontal membrane barrier was successful in eliminating the longitudinal cracking to date.