Grading of Roads: Each County Service Area (CSA) and Zone follows a road grading schedule. (Some Zones have a primary and secondary road system.) Additional road grading may be required for storm clean-up The CSAs and Zones with road grading one time per year are usually graded in the spring. The road grading schedules are as follows:
Low Desert Area
CSA 70 M (Wonder Valley): The primary roads are graded once a week. The secondary roads are graded every two months or by request when grader is in their area.
CSA 70 R-15 (Landers): Storm events & available funding have resulted in a decrease of road maintenance service. Roads are graded as funding permits.
CSA 70 R-19 (Copper Mountain): The primary roads are graded quarterly, the secondary roads twice a year and remaining roads are graded on a by request basis. Storm events & available funding will alter this schedule.
CSA 70 R-20 (Flamingo Heights): Roads are graded as funding is available.
CSA 70 R-26 (Yucca Mesa West): Roads are graded as funding is available.
CSA 70 R-29 (Yucca Mesa East): Roads are graded as funding is available.
Other Miscellaneous Areas
CSA 70 G (Wrightwood): All the dirt roads in this area are graded twice a year, or after storm events if required.
CSA 70 R-30 (Verdemont): Roads are graded as funding is available.
Big Bear Area
CSA 70 R-12 (Baldwin Lake): The dirt roads in this area are graded one time per year, or after storm events if required.
CSA 70 R-3 (Erwin Lake): The dirt roads in this area are graded one time per year and road material is imported if funding is available.
CSA 70 R-45 (Erwin Lake South): The dirt roads in this area are graded one time per year and road material is imported for each grading on an as needed basis.
Crestline Area
CSA 18 (Cedarpines Park): The dirt roads in this area are graded one time per year and road material is imported for each grading on an as needed basis. Grading is also performed after storm event if required.
CSA 70 R-44 (Saw Pit Canyon): The dirt roads in this area are graded one time per year. Road material is brought in if funding is available. Grading is also performed after storm event if required.
Drainage Courses: Drainage courses will be maintained and kept open at all times to protect roadways and private property.
Dust Control: The California Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has mandated that we not grade when the winds are 10 mph or greater. Dust control products are not used for maintenance grading because in order to be effective they need to be applied with water on a frequent basis based on the traffic index of the area. Additionally, there are many different soil types in our areas so some products are not effective on all roads. Topical applications are not feasible unless districts are financially able to continue with a regularly scheduled application program.
Water Use for Road Maintenance: Due to budget limitation, water is not used for maintenance grading. However, water is used when importing material on a roadway.
“Washboard” Effect on Dirt Roads: The main complaint for dirt roads is the “washboard” effect which can occur within days of grading. This is caused primarily by the speed of vehicles driving on the roads. The ideal speed to preserve the road grading is 15 to 25 mph.
Speed Limit on Dirt Roads: The speed limit on unincorporated area dirt roads is governed by CVC 22350 and San Bernardino Resolution 96-22. Drivers should use caution when approaching an uncontrolled intersection and not drive at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, oncoming traffic, cross traffic, and the surface and width of, the intersection and roadway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.
If you have any questions about your dirt road grading schedule, please contact Special Districts Administration at (909) 386-8800.
Snow Removal
Snow Removal Activation: When the snow reaches a depth of 2-3 inches, plows are activated on all paved roads. The standard for snow removal activation on dirt roads is at a depth of 6 inches of snow. While it is snowing, the plow operators will make one or two passes depending on the width of the road. The primary objective is to keep the roadways open for vehicle use. After the snow storm is completed, the plows will return to widen the roadways, open drainages, and if necessary, provide off-road parking so that roads will not be blocked by abandoned vehicles. Primary removal routes are considered open if 4 x 4 vehicles or regular vehicles with tire chains can negotiate them.
Snow Removal Schedule: The snow removal plowing frequency is as follows:
- 2-3 inches: Activation:
- 2-8 inches: every 8 hours
- 8-20 inches: every 12 hours
- Greater than 20 inches: every 24 hours
Do not park your vehicle where it will interfere with snow removal operations, or you will be towed.
Mountain residents need to be aware that during the snow season there is an Ordinance in effect (SD 85-14) which allows for removal of any vehicle, at the owner’s expense, that is parked or left in any manner which interferes with snow removal operations on district roads.
If your vehicle is interfering with snowplow operations, a Warning Notice will be placed on your vehicle. If you receive such a notice, please move your vehicle immediately. Within a reasonable time, if your vehicle is not moved, it will be towed. If your vehicle is towed, you will be responsible for all towing and storage charges. If a vehicle has been abandoned or parked so that it interferes with snow removal operations, it will be up to the operator to determine whether or not he can safely plow a particular road. If the operator determines that he cannot safely access or plow the road due to an abandoned or parked vehicle the road will not be plowed until the vehicle is moved. Please be aware that during winter storms it can take several hours before a tow truck is available. The operator cannot wait until the vehicle is moved, so the district may not receive snow removal services for many hours or even a day.
Snow Berms: The San Bernardino County Public Works and the Special Districts Department do not have a berm removal program. Therefore, the snow plows will create a snow berm in front of your driveway. Please keep in mind that if there is 1 foot of snow and the road is 10 feet wide, you can expect to receive up to 5 feet of snow in front of your driveway.
Cinder Spreading: Cinders will be spread on an as needed basis throughout the districts; however, tire chains should be carried at all times and used when needed.
Objects/Structures Within 3 Feet of the Roadway: Please be advised that pursuant to the San Bernardino County Mountain Condition Guidelines for Encroachment Permits it is prohibited to build any structure including fences, retaining walls, gardens, concrete, etc. within 3 feet of the roadway. The exception to this rule is if you have an encroachment permit from Special Districts for a driveway or parking area. Many properties in Special Districts’ areas were built prior to the adoption of this policy or without permits which is why your structure was allowed to be constructed. However, based on this ordinance, Special Districts and its contractors will not be responsible for any damage to property that is within 3 feet of the roadway.
In order to prevent damage to this property, we recommend you place snow poles or markers on these items over 5 feet in height so the operator is aware of the encroachment. However, placing snow poles on this encroachment does not ensure that this property will not be damaged and does not make Special Districts or its contractors responsible for any damage to this area, particularly during a heavy snowstorm when there is limited area for snow removal.
Contact Information for Snow Removal Concerns: During regular business hours you may contact the Special Districts Department at (909) 386-8800 After regular business hours and on weekends, please call the County Communications Center at (909) 356-3805 and the appropriate Special Districts’ staff member will be paged.
Road Paving/Asphalt Maintenance
Pothole Patching: Each summer the districts are reviewed and potholes are identified and marked for repair. A contractor performs these repairs through the summer months and completes these repairs by the end of September.
Road Paving: For more information, please contact the Special Districts Department at (909) 386-8800
Road Seals: All paved roads are scheduled to have a road seal as budget permits.
Road District Inspections
All CSAs and Zones administered by the Special Districts Department are inspected on a quarterly basis. Inspection reports are prepared and filed to ensure the roads are being maintained in a safe and reasonable manner.