The Streets and Drainage Division of Public Works aim to maintain and repair county roadways, roadside drainage ditches, and right-of-way to provide a safe and reliable transportation network and a stormwater system that minimizes flooding and protects the environment.

Dirt Road Maintenance

Clay County has approximately 247 miles of County-owned or maintained dirt roads. More than 90% of these roads consist of sand and clay, which comprise the road base. The condition of these roads is highly dependent on the volume and type of traffic, drainage systems, and weather conditions. Erosion of unpaved roads and drainage systems is the most significant factor affecting maintenance requirements.

Erosion of unpaved roadways occurs when soil particles are loosened and carried away from the roadway base and into the drainage system. Soil particles that settle out in the drainage system reduce the ditch's carrying capacity, which in turn causes roadway flooding and, thus, more roadway erosion.  Grading dirt roads with little moisture content in the soil is futile and is often the cause of road surface degradation, such as "washboarding" and other problems associated with soil loss. Frequent, excessive, and unnecessary disturbances by continued grading increase erosion, which accounts for a large percentage of dirt road maintenance costs and the deposit of sediments in our water bodies. Properly timed and selective surface maintenance, which includes drainage systems, will minimize erosion problems and lengthen the life of the road surface.

How often are dirt roads usually graded? Streets and Drainage Division currently complete a grading cycle in approximately three weeks. Of course, many variables are involved in staying on that schedule. Weather, illnesses, equipment failure, holidays, and road conditions all alter our cycle but barring these unforeseen circumstances; your road should be graded about every three weeks.

Pothole Maintenance

Clay County has over 740 miles of County-owned or maintained paved roads. In addition, hundreds of miles of paved roads are owned by the state of Florida and the municipalities within Clay County. While the maintenance requirements for paved roads are much less than that required for dirt roads, paved roads experience deterioration over extended periods.

Large potholes in paved road surfaces are a significant irritant to the driving public and can present a safety hazard. When suspected hazardous potholes are reported during regular work hours, the Streets and Drainage Division will make every effort to inspect the area within 48 hours of notification. If the pothole is deemed an emergency priority, it will be repaired immediately. All other potholes that do not represent a hazard will be added to the routine schedule. 

Tree Trimming and Right-of-Way Mowing

The Public Works Department maintains over 1,043 miles of County-owned and maintained paved and unpaved roadways. To support roadway safety, functionality, and appearance, the department provides mowing services along select County rights-of-way to control brush overgrowth, improve visibility at curves and intersections, reduce roadway hazards, and provide safer recovery areas for disabled vehicles and emergency responders. Routine mowing also helps protect roadway infrastructure by preventing woody vegetation and saplings from damaging pavement surfaces. In addition, Public Works performs tree trimming and maintenance along all County-owned and maintained roads to ensure safe vehicle travel beneath tree canopies and to maintain clear visibility of road signs and traffic signals for motorists.

Roadway mowing operations are conducted annually from April through November on an approximate 4-6 week cycle. During peak growing season, typically from mid-June through early October, the department makes every effort to maintain this schedule while prioritizing public safety and addressing vegetation that impacts roadway visibility and line of sight. Additional mowing requests are addressed as resources and scheduling allow following completion of the regular mowing cycle. Mowing areas and service levels are evaluated annually and may be adjusted as needed.

Mowing Procedures and Road List