Posted: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Author: Vinny Delgado, Partner, Ranch Sales | Licensed in MT
Dear Vinny,
I am facing an issue where a road on my property that also allows public access to some adjacent land is seeing increased traffic and deteriorating without maintenance. As a result, drivers are now avoiding potholes by driving through my pasture, What steps should I take to address this?
Dear Pothole,
These situations are common in rural areas. I would start by contacting whoever oversees maintaining said road to discuss options with them. Typically, these municipals will work with landowners experiencing damage to property that is not being properly maintained. If you can't get any cooperation, I have also seen landowners take matters into their own hands. The fixes I have seen are landowners maintaining the road to prevent more damage, posting signage asking people to stay on existing roads, and fencing the road out so the public can't drive off the road. Regardless, these situations can be frustrating, and I hope you can find a suitable solution to your problem.
