The Town of Yucca Valley is considering removing the failed asphalt and turning the troubled Black Rock Canyon Road into a graded dirt road. According to a release from the Town, a grant application to repair the road submitted by the town and Joshua Tree National Park in April 2013 was not successful. Black Rock Canyon Road provides access to a residential neighborhood, Joshua Tree National Park’s Black Rock Campground and the Town’s South Park. The Road was not maintained by the County prior to the Town’s incorporation, and has not been accepted into the Town’s Maintained Road System. Estimates for the reconstruction of the road and drainage improvements are $696,000. While the Town and National Park seek resources to address Black Rock Canyon Road, one interim solution discussed is “grinding or pulverizing” the existing cold mix asphalt and to then maintain Black Rock Canyon Road as a graded dirt road until such time as resources can be obtained to construct paved access. In addition to construction costs, the street and utility easements have not been granted by property owners over a portion of the existing road and the east side of the Black Rock Canyon Road. The Town Council will be discussing Black Rock Canyon Road as well as other potential road improvement projects during its budget workshops beginning in March 2014. Federal budget restrictions limit the National Park Service from spending funds on improvements outside of park boundaries.
