Abstract As the excavation of roadway, new fractures will be formed and the pre-existing fractures extend with the redistribution of stress in surrounding rocks. Eventually, fracture zone and bed separation are formed in rocks because of the developed fractures. Therefore, mastering the fracture evolution of surrounding rocks is very important to maintain the stability of roadway. The surrounding rocks of main haulage roadway in a certain coal mine is so broken and loose that the supporting is very difficult. Based on comprehensive analysis of the engineering geological conditions, a sight instrument was used to observe the fractures of internal surrounding rocks. Four indices, i.e., the width of fracture zone W, the number of fractures n, the width of fractures d and rock fracture designation RFD, are put forward to evaluate the fracture development. According to the evolution rules of the soft rock roadway from this paper, control principles by stages and by regions are presented through the research. At the same time, the best time of grouting reinforcement is determined on the basis of fracture saturation. Field practice shows that the roadway can satisfy normal production during service periods by suitable first support and grouting reinforcement.