Gravel Road Questions
- The gravel road I drive on has potholes, the grader only fills the holes and they return very quickly.
- What is the material sprayed on the roads by your tanker trucks?
- The grader leaves a windrow in the road and won’t pull over to let me pass.
- I live on a gravel road. How often is my road graded?
- I live near a gravel road which is dusty. How can I get dust suppressant applied?
- I live on a gravel road and would like to have it paved. Who do I talk to?
Paved Road Questions
- What causes a pothole in a paved road and how do I report a pothole problem?
- How can I find out which paved roads are scheduled to be maintained?
- How can I request road maintenance for: potholes, missing signs, grade gravel roads, tree trimming, ditch cleaning, shoulder & embankment damage, etc.
General Road and Speed Limit Questions
- How is the speed limit determined roads?
- Can I have the speed limit changed?
- How do we get a stop sign installed at an intersection near our home?
- How can I learn about benchmarks/section marks?
- What is the County Road jurisdiction?
- What is the road right of way width and where is it located.
- Where can I find flood plain information and maps?
Tree and Weed Questions
- Who trims the trees that block signs or overhang the roadway?
- How do I get a dead tree removed that is within the right-of-way or blocking the road?
- What can be done with the tall weeds on my neighbor’s property?
- I can’t see to get out of my driveway. What can be done?
- I can’t see the traffic at an intersection because of the tall weeds?
- I am buying a new property. Is there any help available with weeds on it?
Dead Animal Questions
Snow Questions
- Why doesn’t the snow plow arrive at the same time after every storm?
- The snow plow always leaves a windrow in front of my driveway. Why can’t the snow plow angle the plow or stop and clear the windrow from my drive?
- Why are there signs on the snow plows that say stay back 250 feet?
- May I request a snow plow?
Gravel Road Questions
1. I drive on a gravel road that has potholes in it. The grader only fills the holes and they return very quickly.
If the holes are filled with material that is of poor quality or does not have sufficient moisture, the holes will reappear quickly. During dry periods we strive to grade roads as often as possible and replenish the surface gravel with better material as the budget allows. Excessive cutting of the road surface is not a good idea because the thin, fragile driving surface found on most gravel roads can be quickly damaged.
2. What is the material sprayed on the roads by your tanker trucks?
Tanker trucks are used on gravel roads for dust suppression. If very temporary dust suppression is needed water may be used. For longer term dust suppression a solution of magnesium chloride and lignin sulfate is commonly used.
3. The grader leaves a windrow in the road and won’t pull over to let me pass.
Routine grading of a gravel road usually involves two passes. During this operation, it can be expected that a windrow will be placed in the center of the road until the grader comes back to move it to the other side. Normally the road width will allow passing without the grader pulling over. If you encounter a grader in an area that does not allow passing please be patient, the operator is instructed to let you pass as soon as possible.
4. How often are County gravel roads graded?
Gravel roads differ greatly throughout the county due to the volume and type of traffic along with many other factors. Because of these reasons, road grading schedules vary from weekly to monthly or longer as deemed appropriate.
5. I live near a gravel road which is dusty! What can be done?
This policy is controlled by the Weld County Code, Sec. 8-6-100 which may provide for dust suppression funded by the County, subject to budgetary constraints, on roads that have confirmed traffic counts of 200 vehicles per day or higher. It also allows for the application of dust suppression at the expense of citizens who elect to mitigate dust on the county road. Please check with the Weld County Public Works for more information before proceeding by calling 970-304-6496 ext. 3750.
6. I live on a gravel road and would like to have it paved. Who do I talk to?
The answer is “It Depends”! The Board of County Commissioner’s approve the paving of all county roads. Since not all local and collector roads get paved, many factors are taken into consideration. These factors include road classification, traffic counts, percentage of truck traffic, safety, continuity, and mobility. These scenarios are highly variable, and typically site specific; as a result, it is difficult to implement a “one size fits all standard.” Therefore, Public Work's recommendations to the Board are determined on a case by case basis.
Paved Road Questions
1. What causes a pothole in a paved street and how do I report a pothole?
Several things can cause pot holes. Base failure, damage from equipment or accidents, moisture and freeze thaw cycles, over stress on the section from overweight loads, etc.
The best process for reporting a pot hole is to contact the Public Works Dept. at 970-304-6496 ext. 3750 or to fill out an online comment form letting the County know of the problem.
2. How can I find out what paved roads are scheduled to be maintained?
The best way to check to see if and when a maintenance overlay is scheduled is to contact Dean Dreher at 970-304-6496, ext. 3744.
3. How can I request road maintenance for: potholes, stop sign missing, grade gravel roads, tree trimming, ditch cleaning, shoulder & embankment damage?
The way to request services for each of these items would be to contact the Public Works Department though the online Comment or Concern Form. The request would be distributed to the appropriate division and, if requested, they will contact you for more information.
Stop signs are treated different for safety reasons. During the week inside normal working hours, the Public Works Department is the correct place to call in a request. If it is after hours or a weekend, it should be reported to the Weld County Dispatch at 970-356-4000 ext 2700.
We have crews assigned that will place a temporary stop sign. Note it is specifically for stop signs and not other services such as tree trimming or pot holes. They will also set barricades for emergency road damage conditions.
General Road and Speed Questions
1. How is the speed limit determined on my road?
The speed limit is 55 mph on all Weld County roads, except where posted otherwise. A traffic investigation can be performed by Weld County Public Works to determine if a change in the speed limit is justified based on the following factors:
Vehicle speed data (85th percentile)
Roadside development
Accident experience
Road characteristics
Hazardous locations (curves)
Please see the Establishing Realistic Speed Limits Brochure under the Traffic and Signing section of this website for more information.
2. Can I have the speed limit changed?
Simply contact the Weld County Engineering Division and request a change. The County will make a determination of any reduction or increase in speed limit based on the following criteria.
1. Road characteristics, grade, alignment and sight distance.
2. The 85th percentile speed and pace speed.
3. Roadside development, culture and roadside friction.
4. Safe speed for curves or hazardous locations within the zone.
5. Parking practices and pedestrian activity.
6. Reported accident experience for at least a 12-month period.
A speed limit change request typically requires a special traffic study and can take 60-90 days to complete depending on the time of year. The final determination of any speed change will be made by the Board of County Commissioners based on recommendations from the Public Works Director. Please see the Establishing Realistic Speed Limits Brochure under the Traffic and Signing section of this website for more information.
3. How do we get a stop sign installed at an intersection near our home?
The installation of stop signs requires a special engineering study to determine if the signs are warranted. As part of the study, an engineer will consider the following criteria.
1. Intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the normal right-of-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonable compliance with the law;
2. Street entering a through highway or street;
3. Un-signalized intersection in a signalized area; and/or
4. High speeds, restricted view or accident record indicate a need for control by a stop sign.
Contact the Weld County Engineering Division to request a stop sign warrant study. This type of study typically can be completed within 60-90 days. The final determination of any stop sign installation will be made by the Board of County Commissioners based on recommendations from the Public Works Director. Please see the Multi-Way Stop Signs Brochure under the Traffic and Signing section of this website for more information.
4. How can I learn about benchmarks/section marks?
Weld County does not maintain a survey control network or benchmark network. We ask that you use the NGS network when working within the County. Information about those points can be found on the NGS website. The location of section corners can be found on the State Department of Regulatory Agencies website under Architects, Engineers and Surveyors. Look for monument records under the surveyors corner tab. Section corners are maintained and upgraded as surveyors use them as part of their surveying activities.
5. What is the County Road jurisdiction?
The County has jurisdiction of roads located within the County and Cities have the jurisdiction of roads located within their respective city limits. The Weld County GIS department maintains the maps of the various city limits throughout the County and is available for viewing on their webpage.
6. What is the road right of way width and where is it located.
Most of the roads in Weld County have a right of way width of 60 feet as provided by Colorado Statutes, unless additional right of way has been acquired. Additional right of way information is available through the Public Works tab.
7. Where can I find flood plain information and maps?
Go to the Floodplain and Drainage page on the Public Works website for all of your answers.
Tree and Weed Questions
1. Who trims the trees that block signs or overhang the roadway?
Weld County Public Works Department has a crew that will trim trees that are causing visibility problems at intersections or blocking traffic signs.
2. How do I get a dead tree removed that is within the right-of-way or blocking the road?
The Tree Trimming Crew will trim tree branches or remove dead trees if they are deemed a possible road hazard and if they are with the Weld County right-of-way. Please call 970-304-6496 ext. 3767 or fill out the online comment form to report any problem trees in the right-of-way.
3. What can be done with the tall weeds on my neighbor’s property?
Most tall weeds on properties are kochia, ragweed, sunflowers, etc. Unfortunately, these plants are not deemed noxious weeds. The County Code only addresses plants that are designated as noxious weeds by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Therefore, the best option for seeking control of tall weeds is to contact the local fire authority and ask them to check into the fire hazard concern. If you would like more information, please call Tina Booton at 970-304-6496 ext. 3770.
4. I can’t see to get out of my driveway. What can be done?
It is the landowners responsibility to maintain the vegetation along their property for visibility.
The County does mow paved road surfaces within unincorporated Weld County. Two passes are made a year with two tractors. The timing is not always perfect with individual needs.
5. I can’t see the traffic at an intersection because of the tall weeds?
Call 970-304-6496 ext. 3750 or fill out the online comment form to report a problem intersection. Each intersection will be addressed on an individual basis. You will be contacted with regards to what can be done as well as the timing for work to be conducted.
6. I am buying a new property. Is there any help available with weeds on it?
Yes help is available. The Weed Division will meet you at the property and discuss the vegetation growing on the land as well as provide information on how to control the plants, or establish grass as needed. Cost-share money is also available for the control of designated noxious weeds. For more information call 970-304-6496 ext. 3770.
Dead Animal Questions
1. There are dead animals in road or right-of-way.
The Weld County Sheriff (Animal Control) addresses dead animal issues on County rights-of-way. They may be contacted at 970-356-4015 ext. 2849.
Snow Questions
1. Why doesn’t the snow plow arrive at the same time after every storm?
Every storm is unique and our response to each storm is suited to achieve the maximum benefit with the resources available to us.
2. The snow plow always leaves a windrow in front of my driveway. Why can’t the snow plow angle the plow or stop and clear the windrow from my drive?
It is not possible for the plow trucks to clear every driveway on their route as they would not be able to clear snow from the roadways within the time allowed during their shift.
3. Why are there signs on the snow plows that say stay back 250 feet?
The plow trucks have a hydraulic spreader on the rear of the vehicle that sprays solid material several feet behind and to the sides of the truck. The signs are to warn motorists to stay back to avoid being sprayed with this material by the plow truck.
Plow trucks are not available for requests. However, we can respond to problem areas after notification.
