Permanent Vs Temporary Roads


Typically, access roads are classified into several categories based on their intended use and lifespan:

  1. Permanent Roads– Primary or secondary roads constructed to provide all- or nearly all-season access for silvicultural activities, and are maintained regularly.
    • Primary Road– A high specification permanent road which is maintained regularly and serves as a main artery in a network of roads.
    • Secondary Road– A permanent road that is maintained periodically, installed for transporting wood products and with a secondary use for other forest activities.
  2. Temporary Road– A road constructed for a specific use or single operation and normally retired upon completion of the operation.

Let’s look a little closer at both categories.

Permanent Roads

Permanent roads have been subdivided into two categories: Primary and Secondary.

Primary roads are the main arterial roads for a tract and are usually connected to the access points.  These road systems handle a bulk of the traffic, including hauling, and are maintained on a regular basis to ensure access to the tract.

Secondary roads are less frequently used and are maintained on a less frequent basis than primary roads. However; unlike temporary roads, these road types remain open (at least part time) for vehicle traffic and for other forest uses such as landowner access or hunting access.  They may have been constructed for a single job, but ultimately stay open after the job is complete.

Temporary Roads

Temporary roads are installed for a single job, and are meant to be closed out after the job is complete. Roads that fall into this category include but are not limited to the following:

  • skid trails,
  • harvester paths, and
  • one time access roads that will be closed after the job is finished.

Often temporary roads are site prepared and planted. These types of roads are not intended for further use after the operation and will not be maintained. Because of this, extra care should be taken to ensure that all necessary BMPs are installed to prevent erosion from occurring after the job is completed. Options to protect these roads include but are not limited to the following:

  • seeding,
  • constructing waterbars,
  • incorporating slash, and
  • planting trees, food plots or other ground cover.