Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Introduction
and this…
IntroductionRural roads vital to PAEconomic and Social ImportanceWater and roads
Dirt and Gravel Roads The DGR Program goal
Shale Gas Development and the D&G ProgramWhat’s happening (now and future)
Conservation District perspectiveMunicipal perspectiveESMPs & non-traditional practices
Section 9106 of Pa. Motor Vehicle Code
Statement of purpose. It is the intent and purpose of this section:(1) To fund safe, efficient, and environmentally sound maintenance ofsections of dirt and gravel roads which have been identified as sources ofdust and sediment pollution.
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org D & G Program
In other words…
“To reduce sediment and dust pollution to the waters of the Commonwealth through effective and common sense
maintenance practices on unpaved public roads”.
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org D & G Program
“To help maintain durable unpaved roads that support
strong rural PA communities and protect valuable natural
resources through sound practices and procedures which
prevent dust and sediment pollution!”
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org D & G Program
• Municipal Goal - Better roads through proper road maintenance
• Program’s Goal – Better environment through proper road maintenance
13 Years has Proven!“improved maintenance techniques will
benefit both roads and the environment”
DIRT AND GRAVEL PROGRAM is a Win-Win
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org D & G Program
- Began in 1997- Over 8,000 people ESM trained- Completed over 2,000 Worksites- Run by County Conservation Districts- Local road owning entities (majority are
municipalities) work with District to plan and complete projects
- Cooperative effort to reduce long term maintenance costs and stream pollution from unpaved roads
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org D & G Program Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program
www.dirtandgravelroads.org D & G Program• 2,000 Worksites completed• 15,000 Worksites yet to do• Many completed sites being changed• Road changes likely to add new sites
Introduction
Rural roads vital to PA
Economic and Social Importance
Water and roads
Dirt and Gravel Roads
The DGR Program goal
Shale Gas Development
and the D&G Program
What’s happening (now and future)
Conservation District perspective
Municipal perspective
ESMPs & non-traditional practices
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
What it looks like now
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
In order to support this…
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
Conservation District Perspective
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
• Protect our Natural Resources (streams, wetlands, etc.) • Build cooperation with District, Municipality and Industry• Encourage Pre-haul road improvements in target areas• Encourage ESM Principles (even if not Practices)
Conservation District Perspective
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
• Work with municipalities and industry to identify both completed and perspective Worksites to protect and/or address these areas.• Encourage gas company ESM training (coming!)• Publically recognize those that chose to cooperate
Conservation District Perspective
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
• Build rapport with industry reps. and have townships keep you in the loop on planned hauling routes• Provide outreach on why ESMs are not only good for the environment, but are good for the community• Be involved and be prepared!!
Conservation District Perspective
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
Municipal Role:• Preserve, protect and enhance municipal roads• Provide safe and passable roads• Spend public money wisely• Support community growth and development• Protect environment
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Programwww.dirtandgravelroads.org Shale Gas Development
Municipal Role―Great Roads‖ but keep in mind:• Public Safety• Faster traffic• Future maintenance• Dust• Environmental Impact
ESMP: A maintenance practice or technique that works with natural systems to create a better road, and a better environment.
ESM Ps
1. Avoid Concentrating Drainage2. Minimize Flow Volumes3. Reduce Effects of Concentrated Drainage4. Prevent Surface Erosion5. Reduce Cost and Frequency of Road
Maintenance
ESMP PRINCIPLES:
The goals of ALL Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance Practices
BENEFITS:– Reduces loss of road surface aggregate and
damage to ditches and outlets– Reduces road base saturation and instability– Encourages infiltration, recharges
groundwater and lowers flood flows
– Reduces maintenance!– Saves money!
ESMPsConsider: • Soil type, topography, hydrology• Building a base (the Pinchot Road)• Geo-synthetics• Full depth reclamation• Alternate routes
ESM Ps
Non-traditional Road Maintenance
Avoid using the “one size fits all” approach and “think outside the box” with site specific practices and procedures
www.marcellus-shale.us
Hidden Concerns Bridge Impacts
Don’t forget to inspect your bridges!
Hidden Concerns Bridge Impacts
Will they handle the load?
10
Bridge ImpactsHidden Concerns
http://www.dot7.state.pa.us
12/09 – PA #1 in structurally deficient state owned bridges (6,060 SD and 3,714 FO)9/10 – 5,490 (22%) state bridges and 2,161 (34%) local bridges SD8’ length for state - 20’ length for local
Hidden Concerns Bridge Impacts
A structurally deficient bridge is safe, but in need of costly repairs or replacement to bring it to current standards. Despite a record level of investment since 2003, Pennsylvania has the largest number of structurally deficient bridges in the nation — nearly 6,000 statewide. With 25,000 state-owned bridges, Pennsylvania has the third largest number of bridges in the nation, but we lead the nation in the number of bridges classified as ―structurally deficient.‖ The average age of bridges on the state system is 50 years old. http://www.dot.state.pa.us
Hidden Concerns Bridge Impacts
Outlived design life and/or lapsed on scheduled maintenance?John Tanish/The Tribune Democrat via AP
Hidden Concerns Bridge Impacts
Goal – minimize public exposure to risk (both fiscal and safety)and keep roads open…
Preparing for the future, consider:
• Pre-haul upgrades to improve road base and road drainage (especially in weak and sensitive spots)
• Additional drainage from more access roads and stone surface
• Using ESM practices for more durable, less costly roads
• Using non-traditional products and techniques
Better Roads Food for Thought
An ounce of prevention, usually
makes sense and money!
Planned Pre-haul improvements can avert catastrophic road failures that cost time and money. They can improve public perception, regulatory compliance, and stream heath.
Better Roads Food for Thought
11
An ounce of prevention, usually
makes sense and money!
Long term improvements and overdue maintenance of PA’s rural road infrastructure must soon be addressed to support long term economic growth, while minimizing the negative environmental impact of this growth.
Better Roads Food for Thought
Pre-haul improvements should
include ESM principles and:
• Input from township road department• Upgrades to existing drainage• Upgrades to base structure• Potential for future/sustained heavy hauling• Particular attention to wetland areas, road-
stream interfaces, known weak spots and high density residential areas
• The interests of all (including future PA residents)
Better Roads Food for Thought
Traditional road maintenance practices rarely address the cause of costly road problems. As we learn more, and as the demands on our rural roads change, so too should our approach to road maintenance with appropriate practices and procedures.
Better Roads Food for Thought Roads to Riches
We’ve updated our practices and methods in so many
aspects of our lives, businesses and communities, that it would
seem to make sense to use cost effective long term solutions when maintaining such vital infrastructure as our local roadways, including our
unpaved secondary roads.
Large scale natural gas development will likely last decades. It is time to work cooperatively for the future.
