What is a Culvert?
A culvert is a cutting under or beside a road which allows water to drain, rather than pooling and making road conditions hazardous. Technically, only an enclosed tunnel under a road can be classified as a culvert, and a cutting next to a road is called a ditch, but some English speakers use the term “culvert” to refer to either. Culverts are a vital part of the system used to drain roads and drives, keeping them safe and extending their lifetimes. Ideally, a culvert is installed when a road is built, either by the local highway authority or a property owner, if the culvert is on private land. Generally, if a section of a road lies in a depressed area of ground or a region subject to flooding, a culvert should be installed to facilitate drainage, especially in the winter. The culvert is laid into the road bed while it is being built, and is kept clear by maintenance crews during routine checks of the roadway throughout the year. Culverts serve two major functions. The first is that a c
