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1. How often will may dirt road be graded?

Santa Cruz County maintains approximately 317.67 miles of unpaved roads and streets. One of the most important recurring functions of the Road Division of the Public Works Department is to grade these roads. As part of our regular maintenance program, the Road Division crews blade and smooth most public dirt roads.

Some roads with diminished traffic and located in remote areas are not maintained as frequently. During the rainy season, these roads may get rutted and rough. Potentially hazardous situations should be reported to the Road Division.

2. Who should I call to report a pothole?

Santa Cruz County also maintain approximately 412.322 miles of hard surface county roads and streets. Maintenance requirements for this roadway system includes overlays and chip seal. Another aspect of routine maintenance by the Road Division is the repair of potholes. Crews inspect the roads on a regular basis and patch holes in the road surface as they occur.

When you see a pothole a call to the Road Division 520-375-7830 will assure that a service request is written, and the pothole will be repaired as soon as possible.

3. Who should I call if I see a traffic sign down or damaged?

If you should see a traffic sign down or damaged, it should be reported to the Santa Cruz County Public Works Department at 520-375-7830, during regular hours to assure prompt repair and/or replacement. After 5 p.m. please call Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office at 520-761-7869, to report a traffic sign problem.

4. A tree branch is obstructing my view at an intersection, will the county trim it?

The Road Division trims vegetation that grows within the public right of way (adjacent to roadways) to minimize the potential for any vegetation from blocking or interfering with drivers' ability to see the roadways clearly. If you see an area where the trees or brush block your ability to see the road way and on-coming traffic, please call the Public Works Department at 520-375-7830, and we will schedule the trees or brush for trimming.

Brush growing along right of way that may obstruct vision from a private driveway is the responsibility of the property owner (or driveway owner).

5. Does the county clean out or repair lanes or alleys?

The Road Division does not maintain lanes or alleyways with the exception of keeping lanes or alleys accessible for traffic and fire and emergency vehicles and removing health hazards. The division does not perform alley or lane maintenance. Alley maintenance is the responsibility of the private homeowner, property agent (for rental property), or business owner.

6. Who is responsible for cleaning out my driveway culvert?

Our Road Division does not maintain or clean out driveway culverts. This is the sole responsibility of the property owner. Culverts and cattle guards under roadways are the maintenance responsibility of the Road Division.

7. Can I do work of any kind in the county right of way?

As provided for ordinances, a permit must be obtained before work can be done in the right of way. This includes public utilities, contractors, and individuals, for purposes other than transportation (e.g. trenching or cutting) in the right of way.

Applications for a road cut permit can be obtained in the Public Works Department Office. There is an inspection fee charged to each applicant to assure that the use of the county property is in compliance with permit ordinance.

8. How can we help you?

The Road Division of the Santa Cruz County Public Works Department functions by maintaining, for your benefit, the roadways in Santa Cruz County in the most efficient manner possible.

9. How can you help us?

Citizens can assist us by reporting potentially hazardous road and drainage conditions to the Road Division of the Public Works Department, and by noting the exact location of the problem (road / street and cross street). The phone number of the Road Division is 520-375-7830 - County complex - during regular business hours. Emergencies occurring during non-business hours and on weekends should be reported to the Sheriff's Department 520-761-7869. The county can then take appropriate action.

10. Where does the Road Division get its funding?

The Road Division of the County's Public Works Department, receives its funding from the Arizona Highways user (gasoline) Revenue Fund (HURF), not sales taxes or local property taxes. These highway user revenues currently amount to approximately $124 per resident in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County.

The following telephone numbers can be utilized in outlying areas to reach the Transportation Division offices outside Nogales:

• Tubac: 520-398-0179
• Sonoita: 520-455- 5346
  520-761-7889