GRAVEL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
These improvements may include:
• Upgrading to a paved road surface
• Correcting safety hazard such as dangerous curves, dips
& sight distance problems
• Widening driving surface and shoulders to current county
road standards
• Improving drainage
• Establishing right-of-way for public facilities
These improvements are normally made at no additional cost to
residents.
For cases in which there is no established right-of-way consistent
with current county road standards, right-of-way dedication may
be required.
Why Improve Gravel Roads?
Upgrading and paving county-maintained gravel roads will reduce
maintenance costs, reduce the need for dust control, bring county
gravel roads up to current standards and provide safer and more
pleasant roads.
Many residents of county gravel roads are concerned about the
safety of driving on these roads, or are tired of battling gravel,
mud, and dust and vehicle wear and tear.
Criteria for Improvements
For an existing county-maintained gravel road to be improved, the following conditions must be met:
A majority of property owners along the road must support the improvements, the county must have legal title to at least 66 feet of right-of-way (more on some area's), there must be a valid need based on traffic count and road condition for the rebuild and adequate funding and resources must be available. .
Making the Improvement Request
Step 1). Survey and collect signatures from all property owners
along the gravel road. A majority of property owners must support
the improvements. If the road needs additional right-of-way, all
property owners along that road must agree to donate necessary
property to the county (note: the county may determine it is in
our best interest to purchase and proceed with improvements without
donation). County staff will help property owners determine if
additional right-of-way must be established for a particular road.
Step 2). Submit the petition to Cass County Roads Department.
Step 3). Information provided on the petition will be verified
and tabulated. If the majority of residents support the gravel
road improvements and no additional right-of-way appears to be
needed, the request will proceed to Step 4. If residents support
improvements and additional right-of-way must be donated, county
staff will work with property owners on the right-of-way acquisition
process.
Step 4). When the necessary information is determined by the county
to be complete and accurate, the road will be placed on the priority
list and planning for improvements will begin.
Preparatory Work
Department of Roads will inspect the road for location, width,
safety, drainage, and environmental concerns. The road improvements
will be designed to meet county standards.
Formal right-of-way documents will be prepared and presented to
property owners donating property, if necessary.
Actual construction schedule will depend upon the complexity of
the project, annual budget and the time of year. Property owners
will be kept up to date on the progress of each gravel road improvement
project.
When Will My Road be Improved?
It is the goal of the County to hard surface 5 miles of road each
year. Gravel road improvements will be prioritized by the date
the county receives the completed and accurate property owner
approval and right-of-way commitments. (The County reserves the
right to adjust priorities based on traffic counts and the best
interest of the traveling public). Each road will be scheduled
for improvements depending upon available funding.
Minimum Maintenance Road Policy:
It is the policy of Cass County to maintain minimum maintenance
roads as is required by Title 428 Nebraska Administrative Code.
These roads shall be maintained in a safe and driveable manner
or said roads shall be closed to the public until such time as
they are made safe and driveable. Minimum maintenance roads that
are gated shall have routine maintenance such as grading done
when requested by property owners controlling access to the gated
roads.
Affected property owners through the Highway Superintendent must
submit any request for major maintenance in writing, bridge replacement
or complete re-grade etc. Should the Highway Superintendent refuse
the requested improvement the request shall be automatically forwarded
to the Cass County Board of Commissioners for further review and
decision. If a request is approved for major maintenance the project
shall be placed on the County One and Six plan for future funding
and construction. Construction of projects on minimum maintenance
roads shall be prioritized by the nature of the project, life/safety
issues, travel impact on the landowners, keeping farm equipment
off hard surfaced roads, budget constraints, and impact on the
general public.
An individual wishing to build on a minimum maintenance road must
bring the road into standards before the county will approve a
building permit. This is to be accomplished at the cost of the
requesting party with the county assuming maintenance responsibilities
after the road is improved. Request to upgrade a minimum maintenance
road to local status shall be made to the Highway Superintendent
who shall submit a recommendation to the County Commissioners
for final decision and forwarding to the State Board of Classification
and Standards.
Back to Department of Roads
Assessor
