Maintaining your Driveway Access Culvert

Did you know that pavement damage, soil erosion, and mudslides can be caused by blocked stormwater flow across driveways or under driveways via culverts? If leaves or other waste block the flow of stormwater runoff, then the water gets redirected and can cause serious flooding and/or localized erosion. Those issues can lead to road closures and subsequent need for repair projects. Even during normal wet weather a crushed or plugged culvert that allows water to back up in roadside ditches will contribute to the deterioration of the road as the standing water prevents further drainage from the road base.

Road repairs from these types of issues can be expensive and are paid for by your Lincoln tax dollars. You can help prevent such damage and cost to the public by doing the following things:

• SPRING - Inspect the inside as well as both ends of the pipe. Remove obvious blockages (trash, brush, etc.)
• SUMMER - Remove blockages - Clean and flush the length of the pipe - Repair, improve or install headwalls, pipe ends - Trim and remove brush at pipe ends and mow grass and weeds - Cut and remove trees and limbs that threaten to fall and block upstream ditches - Establish vegetation on bare slopes at ends to prevent erosion.
• FALL - Remove blockages and mark headwalls or pipe ends for snowplow operators. 

Who’s responsibility is it?

It is the responsibility of property owners to maintain drainage infrastructure constructed for private property access (e.g., driveway culverts and inlets).  

Permit requirements: The installation, repair or maintenance of a driveway access requires a permit from the Town of Lincoln. The Lincoln Highway Supervisor must inspect the project before, during and after the repair and/or installation.