Why can't we grade gravel roads in the rain, you ask? ☔

That’s a great question! We’d love to tell you.

We understand how frustrating the current condition of the gravel roads across the Municipality is. As much as we would love to get them cleaned up right now, we can’t grade them just yet. Grading in the rain actually makes conditions worse, not better, and here’s why:

⛈️ When the road is soaked, grading just pushes mud around, creating a rough, uneven surface.

🛣️ The road’s foundation can be damaged, leading to more potholes, washboarding, and longer-term issues.

🚗 Equipment can’t operate properly, and there’s a higher risk of getting stuck or leaving deep ruts that will need to be fixed later.

💵 Freshly graded roads can quickly wash away in heavy rain, wasting time, fuel, and taxpayer dollars.

🌞 The best time to grade is when the road is moist, but not soggy, which is usually the day after a light rain.

It’s been a very wet spring so far, but we’re hopeful that drier conditions are on the way! Our Roads Crew will be putting in extra hours to catch up on grading as soon as weather allows.

Please keep in mind that we do not control the weather and, as soon as this rain lets up, the graders will be hard at work! In the meantime, we recommend reducing your speed on our gravel roads to protect your vehicles and the roads.

Thank you! 👷🏼‍♀️👷🏼