03/18/2026
🚜 Here is some information on Road Grading… 🚜
It’s that time of year when our graders are out across Stevens County doing what they do best trying to turn a washboard into something a little smoother. Since road grading tends to generate a few… spirited conversations, we thought we’d explain how it works.
What is road grading?
Road grading is when our crews reshape and smooth gravel roads using a motor grader. This helps remove washboards, fill potholes, bring loose gravel back to the surface, and improve drainage so the road holds up longer.
Why do we grade?
Because gravel roads take a beating. Weather, rain, snow, freeze/thaw cycles, and regular traffic all break down the road surface over time. When that happens, potholes form, washboards develop, and the driving surface becomes uneven.
Traffic counts also play a big role. Roads with higher traffic volumes break down faster, which means they may require more frequent maintenance.
And while we know everyone is trying to get where they’re going… speeding on gravel roads doesn’t help. Higher speeds create washboards and scatter the gravel we just worked to place back on the roadway. In other words, the faster people drive, the quicker the road breaks down again.
When do we grade?
Our Road Maintenance Division follows a planned rotation and priority system based on road conditions, traffic levels, weather, and available crews.
Grading also depends heavily on proper moisture and weather conditions. If a road is too dry, the grader can’t properly reshape and compact the surface, it just turns into loose dust. If it’s too wet, we risk damaging the road and creating a bigger mess. The “sweet spot” is when there’s enough moisture in the road to allow for proper shaping and compaction so the work actually lasts.
So sometimes, even if a road looks rough, crews may be waiting for the right conditions to do it right the first time instead of fixing it today and having it fall apart tomorrow.
And unfortunately, we can’t grade every road the exact moment someone informs us of a pothole. If we could, we would. Promise.
What happens when you call?
We truly do appreciate hearing from our Stevens County residents. Your calls help us identify areas that may need attention. Our staff will always treat you professionally and kindly, even if the internet sometimes tells a different story.
That said… while we appreciate the calls, calling doesn’t move a road to the front of the grading line. Our crews follow a process and schedule to keep things consistant across the entire county.
So, if you see one of our graders out working, give the operator a wave and please slow down and drive safely around our crews.
They're out there every day doing their best to keep Stevens County rolling.
