Dirt & Gravel / Low-Volume Roads Program

The Dirt & Gravel and Low-Volume (DG/LV) Roads Programs began in Juniata County in 1998 and 2015, respectively. There are more than 26,000 miles of dirt and gravel roads in Pennsylvania. Funding for the Dirt & Gravel Roads Program is provided through Pennsylvania Motor Vehicles License Fund.

These programs help to cost share road improvements completed by Juniata County municipalities. These improvements are designed to decrease stream pollution caused by runoff from unpaved and low volume roads. Types of Best Management Practices utilized on dirt & gravel road projects include proper drainage measures, water bars, cross pipes, inlet protection, use of geotextile, use of Driving Surface Aggregate (DSA), etc. All projects are designed site specific by the municipal officials and the district staff.

For a municipality to become eligible or maintain eligibility for funds under these programs, at least one municipal leader must attend a two-day Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) of Dirt & Gravel Roads course provided by the Center for Dirt & Gravel Road Studies at the Penn State University prior to an application being submitted to the district.

Applications are accepted on rolling basis with deadlines being April 1st and October 1st. A district technician will notify eligible townships when funding is available and applications will be accepted. All applications are ranked and scored using standardized criteria, and the Juniata County Conservation District Board of Directors ultimately approves applications as funding is available.

For more information, please contact the Conservation District at 717-436-8953, extension 5.

Resources:

Juniata CCD Quality Assurance Board Policy

Grant Application and Instructions

Dirt & Gravel Roads Forms/Materials - https://www.dirtandgravel.psu.edu/general-resources

Dirt & Gravel Roads Training - https://www.dirtandgravel.psu.edu/education-and-training/esm-course