VCH Roads

Most of the roads in the Virginia City Highlands are on private property and are maintained by the Association. More than 83% of the Association roads are unpaved. Most of these roads are graveled, while the remainder consists of natural material (clay soils and rock) with perhaps some gravel placed at some time in the past.

The Highlands is a rural area. Four-wheel drive with appropriate tires are required for winter driving in the Highlands.

Presentation on the 2010-2011 LARRI  

The List of Annual Repair, Restoration and Improvements (LARRRI) and Road Maintenance Plan is the guiding document for road maintenance for the VCHPOA. Here is a presentation on the 2010-2011 LARRI from the Roads Committee. It includes:

• Equipment inventory
• 2009-2010 LARRI and Road Plan
• Proposed 2010-2011 LARRI and Road Plan

Magnesium Chloride

The Association has placed a magnesium chloride solution on parts of Empire, Sarazac, and Dortort for dust control purposes. The roads were also scarified and regraded, and then compacted with a vibratory drum roller after the MgCl₂ application. Click here for Frequently Answered Questions (FAQ) on magnesium chloride from the manufacturer.

The manufacturer of a chemical is required to publish information on health risks and handling requirements. This information is called the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Click here for the MSDS sheets on MgCl₂.

Durablend

Durablend is a mixture of magnesium chloride and an organic polymer. It lasts as long as magnesium chloride, is less slick during wet conditions, and is slightly cheaper. (Note: the Durablend flyer is 932K, a fairly large file, particularly if you're using dialup)

Click here for the MSDS sheets on Durablend.

Road Manager

For more information, you can contact our volunteer

	The Roads Committee put together this 2010 update on the roads in the association. It contains an inventory of equipment, the 2009-2010 "List of Annual Road Repair, Restoration and Improvements" (LARRRI) and Road Plan, and the proposed 2010-2011 LARRI and Road Plan.
	The Roads Committee put together this presentation on the 2009 road plan to help educate association members on the road plan. It contains a list of roadwork completed 2006-2008, the 2009 roads evaluation, the planned road work for 2009, road work planned for 2010 and beyond, and a comparison of road stabilization products: magnesium chloride, lignin, and Durablend.
	The Board of Directors has adopted Road Management Guidelines and a Road Maintenance Plan (printable version - PDF), which were endorsed by the membership at the 2006 Annual Meeting. The plan includes the "list of annual road repair, restoration and improvements" (LARRRI). It's 31 pages and it's in PDF format. Click here to read the plan in your browser.
	The Nevada Technology Transfer Center printed a report on washboarding of gravel roads, its causes and cures. The summary: "The three causes of washboarding are lack of moisture, driving habits and poor quality of gravel. You only can change one cause—the gravel. The gradation of gravel can be modified by scarifying, pulling more fines from shoulders, etc. But the key is to get a high quality surface gravel in place in washboarding areas. With heavy traffic in prolonged dry periods, even good surface gravel will not guarantee elimination of washboarding. However, it definitely will reduce it. You also will realize a bonus in reduced blading requirements, less material loss from whip off and less dusting."