In preparation for the upcoming winter season, Santa Clara County is mobilizing its road crews to tackle potential challenges posed by snowfall. The county, determined to avoid repeating last year's disruptive conditions, is taking proactive measures across 660 miles of roads.
The focus is on preventing a recurrence of the previous year's issues that wreaked havoc on drivers and left roads in poor condition. To address this, the county's road warriors are actively engaged in preventive maintenance, particularly in the mountainous areas where the terrain is vulnerable to storms, according to the County of Santa Clara.
Harry Freitas, the County’s Roads and Airports Director, emphasized the importance of a proactive approach, stating, "We replace culverts as part of a proactive preventative maintenance program to protect our roads from washout due to large rainstorms." The goal is to ensure the roads remain resilient even during severe weather conditions.
The West Yard crew, responsible for the Santa Cruz Mountains front, is intensifying efforts with a dozen culvert replacements before the arrival of winter. Recent work on Thompson Road is seen as crucial for residents who rely on these roads for connectivity and access to emergency services.
The tasks undertaken by the road crews are challenging, involving the replacement of culverts, the installation of new stormwater lifelines, and addressing drainage issues. The crews are working diligently to guarantee that the roads can withstand heavy rainfall without deterioration. The maintenance work includes laying base rock over new corrugated steel pipes and applying hot asphalt to ensure durability.
Residents are encouraged to report any road issues through the Mobile Citizen app, simplifying the process of submitting service requests.
