FAQ

A: We are currently updating the list of County-maintained roads. Please, check back later. 

A: There are many roads within Lewis and Clark County, but not all of them are maintained by the County. The Board of County Commissioners determines which roads will be maintained with County resources. The Road Division primarily maintains roads classified as collectors or arterials. These roads carry more vehicle trips than local, low use roads. Local subdivision roads may be maintained by RIDs, homeowner associations, or by private property owners living along the road.

A: To improve sight distance, roadway safety, and allow as much direct sunlight as possible on the roadway to keep it dry after a weather event such as a snow or rainstorm.

A: When conditions are too hot and dry, blading a road provides only temporary improvement. Without adequate moisture, potholes and washboarding quickly reappear, and dust levels often increase after blading. While we use water trucks when possible, extremely hot conditions make it difficult to maintain sufficient moisture for the work to be effective. For this reason, we make every effort to blade roads only when temperature and moisture levels are within an appropriate range to ensure longer-lasting results.

A: Speed limits are set by Montana Law or by conducting a speed study. The speed limit allowed by Montana law for rural areas is 35 MPH. A speed study must be done to establish a speed limit other than 35 MPH.

A: Yes. A permit is required for any new driveway or approach onto a public road, and the permit fee is $150. Each proposed approach is reviewed and inspected to ensure it meets safety and drainage requirements. To apply for a permit, please contact the Permit Coordinator in the Planning Department at (406) 447-8392.

Dust control application(PDF, 70KB)

A: Yes. The County does not pay for the dust control product. If available and needed, the County will blade and water the road for the contractor you hire to spray the dust control product. A permit is required at no charge. You can get the permit by clicking here(PDF, 70KB) or by coming to, or calling the Public Works Road and Bridge, 3402 Cooney Drive, Helena, MT 59602, (406) 447-8031.

A: Yes, if it is a large animal and it is in the roadway we will move it off.

A: You should not push any snow on or across a County Road because it can present a serious traffic hazard to motorists.

A: This cleans the in-slope and the ditch of vegetation, which aides in drainage.

A: The Road Division's policy is to replace mailboxes that have actually been hit by the snowplow. However, if the mailbox or post was broken off from the force of the snow coming off the plow blade, we do not replace or repair it.

A: Normally the distance is 30 feet from the center of the road. Depending on which road you live on, there may be exceptions to this. Please call the County Road Division at 406-447-8031 to see if the distance is 30 feet or something different for your road.

A: Please call the County Road Division at 406‑447‑8031, and we will respond as quickly as possible. In some cases, road grading may need to be delayed due to weather conditions. When roads are too dry or too wet, grading is ineffective and may only shift dust or mud rather than improve road conditions.

A: No. While we know that speed control in residential neighborhoods is a common concern, addressing speeding is most effective through ongoing law‑enforcement efforts. Speed bumps can also create challenges for road maintenance, especially during snow removal, as they can interfere with plowing.

A: Several factors determine how often a gravel road is graded, including traffic volume, vehicle speeds, and weather conditions, all of which significantly affect road conditions. Washboarding and potholes typically form on curves and near stop signs, where frequent braking and acceleration occur. Reducing vehicle speeds and accelerating more gradually can help minimize washboarding in these areas.

The County Road Superintendent, who is responsible for grading operations, periodically monitors roadway conditions and schedules maintenance as appropriate.

A: You can report a pothole or other damage to County infrastructure through our Citizen Problem Reporter portal or by calling the Road Division at 406-447-8031. We will only repair potholes on County-maintained roads.

A: The landowner is responsible for the maintenance and replacement of a culvert under their driveway.