Problem Roads: Reconstruction and Restoration

Problem roads include those built in poor locations and those constructed and maintained using designs not acceptable by todays standards. Often, these older roads were built along river and stream bottoms. Other problem roads include abandoned "orphan" roads and isolated road sections that are inaccessible. These unused roads may have negative impacts on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (Swift and Burns 1999).

Some problem roads have been redesigned to meet established BMPs. However, forest road systems built before BMP implementation may be prohibitively expensive to move to better locations, even though their impacts on ecosystem health are unacceptable. Also, historic-use rights block the legal closure of some roads, many with unclear ownership, even when they are causing unacceptable damage (Swift and Burns 1999).

Options for treating problem roads include relocation, reconstruction, and closure. The road class-- arterial and collector, local, or orphan,--  directly influences options for treating a problem road. Arterial and collector roads are seldom closed; they are usually recontructed due to the high costs for relocation and new construction. Local roads may be permanently or seasonally closed, if such action is legally feasible. Water and sediment control practices used on local or lower-class roads are similar to those used on arterial or collector roads. However, because local roads typically have less traffic, the road surface on a lower-class road may be rougher and grade changes more abrupt. Designing a replacement in a better location is preferable to attempting to repair a poorly designed road on an inappropriate site. Orphan roads should be permanently closed, if legally possible, unless a responsible individual or organization is willing to reconstruct and maintain them (Swift and Burns 1999).

Problem Road Reconstruction

Problem roads may be improved by reconstructing certain portions, relocating sections, and closing abandoned sections. The treatment selected will depend on road type, cost of treatment, and funding. Closing an abandoned road section without restoration to a more natural hydrologic condition may not arrest the adverse impacts. Light reconstruction may have fewer negative impacts if less soil is disturbed (Swift and Burns 1999).

The landowner or manager must consider several factors when selecting treatments for roads that must be kept open. Experience and studies have established that early application of grass and gravel on forest access roads greatly reduces sediment output (Swift 1984). The types of vehicles and the traffic volume using the road will determine the road width and grade needed to reduce erosion and provide safe passage (Swift and Burns 1999).

Problem Road Closure and Restoration

Primary objectives of road closure and restoration are to eliminate surface erosion and create a more natural site hydrology. Although only portions of a road are causing problems, the entire road should be treated before closure while its full length is accessible. Restoration of an orphan road by closure assumes that the landowner can legally and permanently close the road to further use (Swift and Burns 1999).

Since revegetation increases soil infiltration rates, exposed bare soil must be revegetated to protect it from accelerated surface erosion. Occasionally, streamflow is "captured" by a road crossing, converting the roadway into an eroding channel. Restoration includes placing the flow back in its natural channel. When increased infiltration and runoff dispersion reduce storm runoff and lengthen the time rain takes to reach the channel, peak streamflow rates decline and the watersheds hydrologic function is restored (Swift and Burns 1999).