The groundwater table is high. This causes water to seep out of the ground on hillsides making gravel road surfaces muddy.
Dirt roads that were solid when you left in the morning will be soft and slippery when you return. Drive carefully! Dirt roads will rut, and the roads will become muddier as the dirt absorbs more water from rain and runoff. Keeping your wheels out of ruts will help ensure your safety. Public Works monitors dirt roads and adds gravel to the worst spots to ensure the roads remain passable.
The freeze thaw cycle during this time of year generates potholes daily. Most potholes are located on old roads that have cracks or joints in them from road or utility work. If you are on a road with these conditions and you see standing water, it is likely that there is a pothole in the water. If it is safe to do so, adjust your position in the lane to avoid the pothole. Public Works has crews out daily filling potholes, but during this period they can appear faster than we can fill them.
Heaves are caused when the water content in soil under the road increases and the soil expands as it is frozen, lifting the road surface. You will also find this condition on older roads that have cracks in the road. When driving on these roads slow down and exercise caution. Public Works posts frost heave signs on roads when the crews find them or when they are reported. There may be areas and times when roads or sections of roads do not have signs posted. As the ground thaws, these heaves will settle .
As we move from winter further into spring the challenges associated with muddy roads, potholes and frost heaves will lessen. Please call Public Works at 603-528-6379 with questions or concerns.
