By D.J. Hughes, Contributing Author
In the heart of the White River National Forest, nestled among the breathtaking peaks of the central Rocky Mountains, lies Pitkin County, Colo. With a population of 17,000 that swells to over 54,000 during peak tourist seasons, the county is a vibrant and prosperous area known for Aspen, its largest city, the iconic Fourteener Mountains and ski resorts.
With only 10 members on its crew, the Pitkin County Road and Bridge team works long hours all year. But as winter blankets the county in a glistening layer of snow, the team springs into action despite the dangers.
In 2022, Pitkin County had a median household income of $96,123. The housing market is limited and expensive, and in Aspen, non-housing expenses tend to run up to 30% higher than in metropolitan areas.
This 10-person road and bridge team commutes more than an hour to and from work each day because they can’t afford to live in Pitkin County.
During the winter, our team battles snow storms and bitter cold just to get to work, and once on site, these dedicated individuals brave treacherous conditions to ensure safe and efficient travel for residents and visitors alike.
The team is understaffed and has limited resources, and this is our story.
With 364 miles of roads to maintain, the team's responsibilities are vast and challenging.
On average, Pitkin County receives 309 inches of snow each year, and that can stretch from November through April.
For half the year, the team at Pitkin County Road and Bridge plows snow and pushes back snow drifts to keep the county's roads clear and accessible for the traveling public.
Like public works workers across this country, this is a team of unsung heroes who operate heavy equipment and sacrifice long hours to serve their community, no matter the obstacles they face.
It’s not easy. Any public works road and bridge team member in a mountainous region can tell you that. And those workers can relate when I say the team at Pitkin County Road and Bridge embodies the true spirit of dedication and hard work. They tackle each day with a sense of purpose and pride, knowing that their efforts make a difference in the lives of those they serve.
When snow falls in Pitkin County, the road and bridge team’s day starts at 1:30 a.m. This first shift of operators brave the early morning hours to make their way to the county shop, where they begin their shift at 4:00 a.m.
They won’t see relief until noon, when three more operators begin their shift. The second shift operators face similar challenges and conditions as they work into the late evening, while the day crew rests for the next day.
Before hitting the roads, each operator diligently inspects their equipment to ensure everything is in top working order. This attention to detail is crucial, as the operators traverse steep mountain terrain and tight turns within their routes. Operators cover an average of 100 miles of road each shift.
Each route presents its own unique obstacles and intricate needs, including accidents, requests from citizens and close collaboration with emergency service personnel.
Snowstorms in Pitkin County can vary in intensity, from wet roads that freeze to multiple feet of snow accumulating. Some storms are light and easy, while others come in with heavy blizzard conditions.
Regardless of the storm, the operators must make each route safe for commuters. Each route sees the plow truck approximately one to three times a day, depending on the amount of snow accumulation and other priorities within the county.
The roads in Pitkin County are categorized into different maintenance levels: high, moderate, low and limited. These levels are based on factors such as school routes, emergency routes and daily traffic counts.
The winter season is far from restful for the road and bridge crew in Pitkin County. Even when the snow is not falling, there is work taking place to ensure the safety and functionality of the roads throughout the county.
It is vital that snow piles are moved when it is now snowing. Operators push snow back from the roads in preparation for the next storm. This makes room for when the next snow accumulation is plowed, and it also clears roadside drains and culverts and sweeps the roads clear of sanding materials used during snow events.
Not all of the roads in Pitkin County are paved with asphalt – approximately 40 miles consist of dirt and gravel roads. During the winter, the crew allows snow to accumulate and freeze on these dirt roads to preserve the gravel surface underneath.
By taking necessary precautions and staying vigilant, the road and bridge crew in Pitkin County works tirelessly to maintain safe and accessible roads throughout the winter season. Their dedication and hard work ensure that commuters can travel safely and confidently, even in the harshest winter conditions.
As winter ends, the road and bridge crew shifts their focus from winter maintenance to preparing for the spring thaw. This transition is a crucial time for the crew as they work to clean up and open public roadways that were closed for winter recreation.
The crew cleans roadside ditches and culverts and repairs asphalt. This maintenance is essential to ensuring that water can flow freely. It prevents flooding as the snow melts in preparation of our summer operations.
In the summer, the crew performs girt and gravel road maintenance, as well as roadside mowing and fire mitigation. Guardrail and bridge maintenance, additional miscellaneous asphalt repairs and other special projects are placed in the schedule as staffing and priorities allow.
In addition to their regular maintenance tasks, the road and bridge crew may also be responsible for maintaining the area's forest service roads through an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. Forest Service.
These roads often are used for recreational purposes like hiking, biking and camping, so it is important that they are in good condition. This may involve repairing washouts, grading the roads and making sure drainage culverts are clear of debris.
The management and scheduling of these tasks is a significant challenge for the road and bridge crew. They must balance operational needs and resources with the need to provide time off for their team.
It is a delicate balancing act, as the crew must ensure that the roadways are maintained in a timely manner while also allowing their employees to rest and recharge.
Effective communication and planning are key to successful road and bridge maintenance. The crew must work together to prioritize tasks, allocate resources efficiently and ensure that all work is completed in a timely manner.
This may involve coordinating with other departments or agencies, working with contractors and keeping track of budgets and timelines.
Despite the challenges, the road and bridge crew takes pride in their work and the vital role they play in maintaining the infrastructure of their community. With a vast and diverse county, the small 10-person team at Pitkin County Road and Bridge is always prepared to face whatever comes their way.
Whether responding to emergencies, assisting local agencies, or working on special projects, their commitment to serving the community is unmatched. They understand the importance of their work in ensuring the safety and convenience of residents and visitors.
If you find yourself driving through the stunning landscapes in this region of Colorado, please take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication of the team that keeps it all running smoothly.
Whether it's plowing through winter storms or patching up roads in the fall, the road and bridge team is ready to face whatever challenges come their way. Their commitment to public safety and their community truly is inspiring, making them the unsung heroes of Pitkin County. RB
D.J. Hughes is the road and bridge manager for Pitkin County, Colo.
