November 30, 2023 |
Photo – CR499 sign – Courtesy The True Adventures of Lupe
Carbon County commissioners are questioning if they should abandon certain roads to winter weather.
Carbon County Road and Bridge is tasked with maintaining roughly 950 miles of county-owned roads. In the winter, county crews keep approximately 450 miles of those roads open to traffic. However, county road crews have been struggling to keep some of the roads passable during periods of heavy snowfall.
Road and Bridge Superintendent Kandis Fritz proposed re-designating County Roads 497 and 499 as seasonal, eliminating the county’s responsibility to keep them open in the winter.
During the November 21st Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Fritz said she is prepared to send letters informing property owners on the two roads about the potential designation change. Fritz said County Roads 497 and 499 require her crews to go far out of their way to keep the roads open.
County road crews are required to travel several miles through Natrona County to reach County Road 497, also known as Buzzard Road.
Commissioner John Espy said he supports making County Road 497 seasonal. However, Commissioner Espy said he would like see County Road 499, north of Rawlins, remain open in the winter.
Commissioner Espy said he wants to keep 499 open in the winter, so residents of northern Carbon County don’t think the board has forgotten about them. The commissioner said he understands why County Road 497 needs to become a seasonal road that is closed during winter.
Commissioner Espy said people live on County Road 499. The commissioner suggested the county investigate other potential roads to convert to seasonal status, instead.
Road and Bridge Superintendent Fritz said she’s been in contact with landowners on County Road 499. Fritz said they need to understand that it may be impossible for the county to keep the road open in the winter.
The board voted to send letters to landowners on both County Roads 497 and 499 informing them about the county’s intention to re-designate the roads as seasonal. A public hearing will be held during the January 16th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting. Commissioner Espy encouraged people living along County Road 499 to attend the meeting and present alternative options for winter road maintenance.
