Living on Rural County Roads
Jackson County Roads maintains over 750 miles of surfaced roads and 165 miles of gravel roads. The busiest roads have over 15,000 average daily vehicle trips. Some rural roads are gravel and might only have a couple of vehicles per day. The most time and resources are spent maintaining and providing for a smooth flow of traffic on the busiest roads. Living on a rural paved or gravel road means routine maintenance activities are less frequent.
Rural roads require a higher degree of driving attentiveness because of shorter sightlines, curves and in some cases road width especially during times of inclement weather. Storm events such as snow, heavy rainfall and windy conditions produce hazards. Road crews will be out during inclement times and quickly act on calls of hazardous situations. Please respect flaggers, temporary cautionary signage and flashing warning beacons.
Snow and Ice
Jackson County road crews average 9000 miles of plowing, 2500 c.y. of sanding and 5000 gal. of deicing per year. Crews will respond 24 /7 if storm conditions persist. Most plowing occurs in the upper elevations but occasionally there is a significant storm on the valley floor. When it occurs, resources are stretched. It may take a day or so to get to remote roads. In lighter storms, if snow accumulations do not exceed two (2) inches, crews will not plow between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. or during overtime hours on normal work days or weekends. In these situations the use of traction devices is recommended. During snowstorms, residents should carry appropriate traction devices and limit driving during evening and early morning hours.
Rain
Road crews regularly schedule cleaning roadside ditches and clearing the ends of culverts. Within three years most ditches and culverts should be cleaned at least once. Crews averages 150 miles of ditch cleaning per year. During heavy rain, culverts can be plugged by debris or overwhelmed by water. When plugged and water overwhelms drainage ditch capacity, water flow across the road or accumulate in the road. When driving during heavy rain events decrease your speed and be cautious of water in the road. If you have a driveway with a culvert, a good practice is to clean the ends prior to the rainy season. Your action may prevent the loss of your driveway. On paved roads, an accumulation of dust, oils and film can cause a slippery road when the first rains occur in the fall.
Wind
County road crews or a contractor remove dead and dying trees as well as trim trees and clear brush along roadways to maintain sight lines, horizontal and vertical clearance and reduce fire danger. Heavy wind can loosen and knock down limbs or entire trees onto the roadway. Be cautious while driving in heavy wind, especially at night when visibility is limited.
Gravel Roads
County road crews grade, rock and perform related maintenance activities on gravel roads. Minimally they grade in the fall after the first rains and in the spring prior to the dry season. They may add more material if the required to get a smooth even surface.
Gravel roads in Jackson County present special kinds of hazards. They usually don’t have posted speed limits and are designed for slower speeds. Driving gravel roads requires a high degree of attention and respect for others traveling and living along the road. Gravel roads don’t have marked centerlines! The driver’s judgement is critical. Most gravel roads have enough width for two vehicles to pass safely. However drivers tend to crowd the center of the road resulting in a single lane in the middle of the road which can be hazardous. Please slow down when you approach pedestrians, equestrians, homes or other cars. Gravel roads are dusty. The County applies a dust control material to some gravel roads and will arrange to apply the material to other roads under a shared cost arrangement.
Contact Jackson County Roads and Parks Department at 774-8184 or our website, www.jacksoncounty.org.