CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS

For the latest road condition updates go to the LRVPOA Roads facebook page

Please use extra caution navigating association roads in the winter.

For those new to or visiting Lost River, please note that the association roads are 15 MPH to keep us all safe, reduce wear/repairs of the road and to keep the dust down

Have a road concern, question, or report? Submit a quick note!

For a snow event, the standard approach is to plow once accumulation reaches four inches. Trying to plow before accumulation reaches four inches or if total accumulation is less than four inches can result in severe damage to the Association roads as the plows dig into the gravel hardtop. Damage to the roads by plowing small amounts of snow can damage the grading and deposit gravel and debris into culverts and ditches. This impedes water drainage throughout the winter and spring, resulting in an increase in the number of potholes and channeling across association roads. On a case by case basis, we may employ partial plowing for accumulations in the two to four inch range. This decision depends on a number of variables largely surrounding the current and predicted temperatures and expectation for any additional precipitation. This has to be done carefully to balance need for navigation with long-term stability of the road surface.

As much as is feasible, we also try to wait until the snowfall is over before plowing. This ensures that we can remove as much accumulation as possible. When we expect very heavy accumulation, we can and do plow multiple times to keep removal manageable for our contractors and allow a window for travel.

Distribution of cinders on association roads is not done on a routine basis. This is typically only helpful when temperatures are expected to remain below freezing for an extended time and there is residual snow on the ground, or if there is ice accumulation. The application of cinders is done by a different contractor and is not done simultaneously with snow removal. We do not utilize salt on gravel association roads as this will soak into and melt the gravel base, creating slippery conditions.

LRVPOA is lucky to be in a stable financial position so that cost is not the primary driver of decisions on snow removal and cinder distribution; rather, this is strictly a decision based on safety, expected weather, and long-term road preservation. At any point prior to, during, or after a weather event, residents are welcome to contact the At-Large Board member who coordinates snow removal and cinder distribution with our contractors. This will always be the most direct and reliable way to communicate concerns or questions about road-related activities. Contact information for the At-Large Board Member and all of the Board members can be found at www.lrvpoa.org.

While the approach above has been in place for many years, as an Association we can certainly discuss modifications and improvements to this plan. Certainly, one suggestion that has been made that could be helpful is the installation of cinder reservoirs (barrels) at the most treacherous locations, or employing someone on a seasonal basis to fully monitor road conditions. Other suggestions are very welcome and should come to the Board via email or by directly calling any LRVPOA Board member. These proposals will be researched and presented to the membership as appropriate to collect feedback. As always, our goal is to keep the association roads safe and stable for all our residents.