road conditions

THE MAIN ROAD IS CLEAR OF SNOW FROM LAST NIGHT SOME MUD BUT CLEAR FOR TRAFFIC. MOST SIDEROADS ARE ALSO CLEAR WITH SOME MUDDY SPOTS REMAINING. SATURDAY ROADS SHOULD BE DRY.

As a private commercial service Steve Thornburg (783.4686), Justin Beoff (783.4194), and Jack Mansperger (783.4434) have been clearing driveways. We are fortunate to have the services of these three. However, you should check on prices as they are providing their services for hire. They are not employed by TRLA nor are they volunteers.

TIMBERLAKE RANCH ROAD: TRLA WILL BEGIN SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS WHEN 4” OF SNOW ACCUMULATES.

SIDE ROADS WILL BE CLEARED IN THIS ORDER:

1. CIBOLA 1 & 2 -- Copperweed and Woodland
2. MCKINLEY 1-10 -- Pinetree and Sagebrush
3. CLOH CHIN TOH – Sunrise, Monte Vista, Cliffside
4. TIMBERLAKE SOUTH – Cliff Shore
5. REMAINING SIDE ROADS WITH PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED BY THE TRLA BOARD AND TRLA EMPLOYEES. PLEASE REPORT ANY EMERGENCY SITUATIONS TO TRLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

PLEASE NOTE: TRLA EMPLOYEES WILL NOT REMOVE VEHICLES FROM SNOW DRIFTS OR DITCHES. THEY WILL ASSIST OCCUPANTS IN FINDING SHELTER. TRLA EMPLOYEES WILL NOT CLEAR LANDOWNER DRIVEWAYS. LANDOWNERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO TRLA SIDE ROADS CAUSED BY SNOW REMOVAL WORK DONE BY ANYONE OTHER THAN TRLA EMPLOYEES OR TRLA AUTHORIZED CONTRACTORS. AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO TRLA AUTHORIZED CONTRACTORS.

The long-standing policy (TRLA Policies and Procedures, Roads, 8:4) states:

"The Association clears snow from roadways once accumulations reach 4". The ranch employee checks snow depth at various places on the ranch - Timberlake and Halcon, Timberlake and Pinion, the flats, and Timberlake and Monte Vista. When accumulations in any area reach 4", plowing begins in that area. If accumulations in other areas subsequently reach the 4" mark then plowing continues in those areas.

Timberlake Road gets cleared first, followed by roads leading to full-time residents' homes. When time permits, and conditions are favorable (i.e., roadbeds are frozen), snow plowing continues until all roads have been cleared."

Our Fire Chief have made arrangements for Lifeflight, the medical evacuation helicopter service, to assist with any medical emergencies should it be necessary.

Things You Can Do
1. Plan for the unexpected: buy extra food, store extra water, follow the weather reports.
2. Don't go out unless you absolutely have to do so.
3. Use a 4WD, high clearance vehicle and drive with caution.
4. Be patient and polite. Weather impacts everyone, not just you. Extreme weather is not the norm, so be realistic in your expectations.

Things TRLA Will Not Do
1. TRLA employees will not pull vehicles out of snowdrifts or bar ditches. The will assist occupants getting to a warm, safe place if at all possible.
2. TRLA employees will not clear landowners' driveways.

Please remember landowners will be held responsible for any damage done to TRLA side roads resulting from the clearing of driveways or the clearing of side roads by anyone other than TRLA employees.

Finally, if you have questions or need assistance, your first contact point for Timberlake Ranch is to contact a member of the Board of Directors.

Also p lease report any problems you are having with your road to the Trnews editors so we can post it on this page.

Timberlake Ranch Back Roads

Timberlake Ranch has approximately 37 miles of back roads. To prepare one mile of back road for gravel certain things have to be done, such as:

1. Ditches dug out on both sides to insure proper drainage.
2. Shoulders built-up.
3. Roads crowned to direct the water off the road into the ditches and culverts.
4. Culverts installed and kept clean.

Ground moisture plays a big key in road maintenance. Without it, there will be minimal dirt compaction and increased potential of erosion. Timberlake Ranch has some side roads in low lying areas that have to be built-up and culverts installed under the road for proper drainage. Otherwise, water will pool creating a mud trap for even the best of 4WD vehicles. Initially, depending on the moisture content of the road, one mile of road repair will take 8 or more passes with the grader and numerous employee/volunteer hours. This will account for approximately 296 miles (37 X 8) of grader mileage. Once the proper road preparation has been done gravel can be spread for optimal longevity.

TRLA currently has two qualified grader operators, Robert Unkestine and Jerry Toellner. Jerry is a current TRLA board member with many years of road construction experience and willing to help TRLA build it's financial base by volunteering time with grader operation as Roads Committee Chairperson. I have written this short article with no experience in road construction. I have asked questions of those who know and by observing roadwork on Timberlake Ranch in the past. I have concluded that there is a lot more to road maintenance than dropping the grader blade to smooth out ruts and washboards.

Danny Montoya