If you have unpaved roads, dust is a given, especially on those hot, dry days. Dust can be dangerous, as it can reduce visibility when driving as well as cause respiratory problems. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to get the dust down to a minimum, four of which are listed below.

Use Gravel

Cover the dirt road with gravel to reduce dust. Gravel gives the vehicles a hard surface, and it also protects the soils that can be damaged by vehicle wheels. Using crushed aggregate as a base for the gravel will prevent vehicle wheels from pushing the gravel into the ground. Also, this fine material is needed below the gravel because vehicles can push the gravel away from the road, revealing the dust. Contact your local Department of Transportation for more information about how you can use gravel on your dirt roads.

Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride retains moisture for long periods of time. This not only helps with your dust problem but also stabilizes the road, making a smoother surface for the cars to drive on. This product can be spread directly onto the surface, or it can be dissolved in water and spread as a liquid. Because it works for long periods of time, it can reduce maintenance costs, and it is environmentally friendly.

Reduce Wind

Wind is one of the main culprits that stir up dust. Decreasing the amount of wind on your dirt roads can be done by adding some windbreaks, such as planting trees in several rows. Some trees that work best for this purpose include:

  • Spruce
  • Cedar
  • Juniper
  • Fir
  • Pine
  • Dogwood

You can also use shrubs as a windbreak, such as the American Hazelnut, Wild Plum, and American Highbush Cranberry.

Not only do these things break the wind, but they also add to the appearance of the area surrounding the dirt roads.

Watch the Speed

Fast moving cars and trucks will stir up the dust, and the faster a vehicle goes, the more dust is stirred up. Post a reduced speed limit sign on the road. You could also install vehicle speed pumps to reduce the speed or install drainage channels across the dirt roads. Contact your local law enforcement to help you with this.

If you do not take care of your dust problem, over time, it will cause erosion and soil stabilization problems on the roads, which will cause you to pay for expensive repairs. For more tips and help with this, contact a local company that offers road dust control. 

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