Spring

Flushing, Sweeping, Preparing Roads for Chip Seal

Spring and time to start cleaning up from winter. County crews starting the clean up as soon as winter seems to have lost its hold. Water trucks, sweepers and vactor trucks hit the roads to clean up whatever debris has accumulated. A major part of the yearly program is chip sealing up to 75 miles of roadway each summer. These roads receive additional care in preparing them to have a new surface.

Repairing Slip-outs

Areas requiring minor pavement repair will be paved in the spring. Paving can't happen until temperatures are 55 degrees or more and it can't be raining. Tough conditions to meet in early spring!

Crack Sealing

The Department uses crack sealing to keep a roadway in good condition until a more permanent treatment can be made. Crack sealing is often done in the 'off season' to keep the roadway from deteriorating under more harsh winter conditions. Maintaining a good running surface on all County roads is a Department practice.

Brushing

Winter and spring are the primary brushing seasons. Brushing involves using a mower, pruner and/or other tools to cut larger vegetation back from road, in compliance with the County Vegetation Management program. Brushing, along with other vegetation management actions, allows air circulation so the road dries more quickly, increases visibility and maintains a height and width corridor in accordance with County road standards. More information is available here.

Ditch Cleaning

After a winter of heavier rainfall, debris and other materials fills up ditches and makes them shallower. During the spring, crews re-establish ditch depths, which allows the ditches to carry more water during the following year.

Shoulder Repair

A road's gravel shoulder is important for several reasons, but a major reason is that it strenthens and supports the pavement adjacent to it. A shoulder in good repair allows a driver to drive off to the shoulder and back on without damaging the pavement. Shoulder repair is conducted during winter because plants are not growing and crews are able to do this even in poor weather.

Reflective Button Replacement and Removal

Reflective buttons are used in many locations and must be removed on roadways that will be resurface with either chip seal or asphalt paving during the summer season. The buttons are removed in preparation for that activity. Other buttons, damaged by winter time activities, such as plowing, are replaced.

Hydroseeding and Erosion Control

Where needed, hydroseeding (seed mixed with a glue like substance) and erosion control are set up to help retain soil and reduce sedimentation downstream of the site.