Is the gravel road useless?

[Kael]

yea... for what i need it?

[OneJasonBradly]

Dirt roads? Dirt roads are I think the only road that has a 30 speed limit which make it great for hiearchy or to convince traffic to take a faster road to their destination. I use them all the time in fact I feel I over use them at times. They are Sooo handy\ helpful.
This clip will show just how much I use these dirt roads and where and why.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1304364762

[ancienthighway]

Gravel/dirt roads are great! I plot out all new development using them, and end up leaving them for some time as local roads where appropriate in residential zones. Industrial and commercial streets get upgraded sooner, but still not a pressing issue.

Maintenance costs are less which is important in the early game. Plotting new roads, deleting them, then plotting roads again is cheaper.

Then as mentioned above, there's the traffic control aspect in using them.

[scpool1986]

I’ve used them for visual appeal in ore and forestry industry areas before then upgrade them as the areas develop.

[grapplehoeker]

It makes for a very attractive bridge too! ;)

[Nexodas]

I use them to plan out my roads because they are cheap and just upgrade them later on when those roads see actual use.

Also I use it in farming and forestry areas for looks.

[Proteus]

I am also among those who use them for looks ... in my farming districts and sometimes in the forestry ones

[barrygreybeard]

I always start my city off with dirt roads, upgrade them when I get some money coming in.

[grapplehoeker]

Originally posted by grapplehoeker:

It makes for a very attractive bridge too! ;)

Hmm... that gives me an idea! Elevated gravel roads = nice covered roads all over the place lol ;)

[OneJasonBradly]

Originally posted by grapplehoeker:

It makes for a very attractive bridge too! ;)

Oh thanks Grapp, I forgot about that. I didn't think you could elevate a dirt road but wrong I am for thinking that. In fact they as stated are quite attractive. The pillars alone are wonderful, never mind what happens if you span these roads over water.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=961722090

[cikpe]

Simply, it is much more suitable to rough terrain, and it can be steeper than other roads and it has lower maintenance

[balcmusic]

I have one node in my city roads that is just gravel. It's a huge steep incline that could not be "cemented down". The busses and all the traffic just have to accept it and "off road" it for one segment. It's kinda funny.

And like everyone else, I use them in farming, ore and oil production, I think it adds to the flavour of the roads and look of the area.