Grading: The spreading and
shaping road base layers using a grader or truck blade during the
summer and
fall seasons.
Plowing: Removal of snow and
ice from the road base during the winter season. Plowing
removes the road’s crown and
shoulder, creating a plow berm that is graded (spread and shaped back
to the
road crown or shoulder) during the spring-fall season.
1.
Why do you spread all that tar
and gravel on the paved roads?
2.
What are “All Season” roads?
3.
What are seasonal weight
restrictions?
4.
We live on a gravel road. How do we get it paved?
5.
I cannot leave my windows open
because of the dust. How do I get my
road brined?
6.
Our gravel road is a muddy mess!
Can you do something to stop this springtime situation?
8.
The gravel road I live on is
full of holes. When are you going to grade it?
9.
I live on a seasonal road. When are seasonal roads maintained?
10.
What maintenance do you get with
a private road maintenance agreement?
11.
What do I need to do if I
would like a section of road abandoned?
12.
Who decides where traffic
control devices are placed?
13.
Can you install a
"Children at play" sign on my street?
14.
How are speed limits
established?
16.
Why do some roads not have a
stop or yield sign?
17.
What is the Road Commission
right of way?
18.
When do I need to get a
permit from the Road Commission?
19.
Can I fill in the ditch in
front of my property?
20.
Do I need a permit for a new
driveway even if I do the work myself?
21.
How do I get a culvert for
a driveway?
23.
Who is responsible for
the removal of dead/dying trees in the right-of-way?
24.
Why are you cutting down
the trees on my road?
25.
There is a dead deer on
the side of the road. Who is responsible
for moving it?
26.
Where can I install my
mailbox?
27.
What type of mailbox can
I install?
28.
Can the Road Commission
remove my mailbox?
29.
Where can I get
information on current road conditions in Michigan?
30.
It snowed last night. When
will my road be plowed?
31.
How do you determine in what
order to plow roads?
32.
Is it legal to pass a
snowplow?
34.
My mailbox and/or post
were damage during a winter storm. Does
the Road Commission replace them?
35.
Why do bridges and
overpasses freeze before the surface of the road?
36.
Why can’t salt be put on
roads and bridges before it snows?
37.
What is the importance of
pavement and ground temperatures? Why not rely on just air temperature?
38.
I have seen snowplows
driving
along during a storm with their plows raised. Why aren’t they plowing?
39.
Why do workers spray
liquid onto the roadways before a big storm arrives?
40.
Why would salt be spread on a
bare highway after a snowstorm is over?
41.
Who takes care of street
lights?
42.
A county truck threw a stone
into my windshield. Is the Road Commission going to pay for it?
43.
Where does the Road
Commission
get its operating funds?
44.
My property taxes go up
every year, why doesn't the Road Commission fix my road?
1. Q.
Why do you spread all that tar and gravel on the paved roads?
A. The process
you are referring to is
sealcoating. Just as your home needs ongoing maintenance to keep it in
tiptop
shape, so do roads. Several kinds of seal are used, depending on the
road type,
condition and traffic volume. Sealcoating is a way to improve the
road's
surface and at the same time, protect our investment in the road. It is a relatively low cost method of
preserving existing low-volume pavements.
This “seal” prevents water from freezing in the cracks and breaking up the pavement. A sealcoat offers the best protection for the least amount of money, and makes a road last longer. The tar is actually an emulsion of water and liquid asphalt, which penetrates and seals small cracks in the existing pavement. Sealing these cracks on a regular basis prevents water from seeping into and softening the base of the road and over time causing potholes to form. The peastone that we use for cover material sticks to the emulsion and, after rolling and sweeping, provides a slightly roughened skid resistant surface to improve safety. Although sealcoating can preserve and extend the life of the pavement, it is only a surface treatment and does not fill any existing bumps, holes, or irregularities and thus does not improve the ride quality. For this reason it is important to apply sealcoat to a road BEFORE this deterioration occurs, which leads us to sealcoat roads that are in generally good condition rather than waiting for them to deteriorate to the point that extensive patching is necessary.
There is a downside; however, as vehicles travel over the
new surface
small rocks may come loose under the tires. When a motorist encounters
a newly
chip sealed road, which will be marked with "Loose Gravel" signs, the
best preventative is to reduce the vehicle speed and keep plenty of
distance
from any vehicle in front of them. CRA video on understanding chip seal.
2. Q.
What are “All Season” roads?
A. So called
“All Season” roads are those that
have been designed and built with additional strength and durability to
withstand truck traffic with regular legal loads all year long, and
thus they
are not subject to the reduced loading restrictions that are placed on
most
roads during the early spring in Michigan. Roads not constructed to
“All
Season” standards are subject to a reduction in allowable loading and
speeds
during the period each spring when thawing of the ground below the
roadbed
softens the roadbed and makes the surface susceptible to damage from
heavy
loads.
3. Q.
What are seasonal weight restrictions?
A. Seasonal
weight restrictions are legal
limits placed on the loads trucks may carry. During late winter and
early
spring, when seasonal thawing occurs, the maximum allowable axle load
and speed
is reduced to prevent weather-related breakup of roads. CRA video about understanding seasonal weight restrictions.
4. Q.
We live on a gravel road. How do
we get it paved?
A. Primary
Roads are selected for paving
based on a pavement inventory rating system, which takes into
consideration the
physical condition of the road, the average daily traffic, and the
physical
ride quality of the pavement.
Local Roads are typically selected by the townships based on
the
concerns of the public and the amount of money that they have available
to cost
share with the Road Commission. Many local roads were improved using
private
development funds, contributions from Township government, or by
special
assessment charges on the properties that access a particular road. The
level
of funding provided to the Road Commission, by law, is not sufficient
to pay
for the initial paving of a road. Although Township government has no
responsibility
for road maintenance or improvement, and does not receive any road tax
money,
they have been very supportive of county roads over the years, and you
may wish
to contact them to see if they have any plans to improve your road in
the
future.
5. Q.
I cannot leave my windows open because of the dust.
How do I get my road brined?
A. The Road
Commission places brine on
gravel county roads three times
during the year.
Each brine application takes approximately two to three weeks to
complete and
includes the grading and shaping of the gravel roads, prior to the
application
of the brine on those gravel roads.
The residents must contact the Township, not
the Road Commission, requesting service. In
turn, the Township will send the orders to
the Road Commission who will apply the dust layer and bill the township
for 2/3
of the actual gallons used. CRA video about understanding dust control.
6. Q.
Our gravel road is a muddy mess! Can you do something to stop
this
springtime situation?
A. We can try, and we do try, but, in the spring when the frost comes out of the roadbed, what was once frozen and solid turns soft and unstable. It will remain this way until the moisture comes out of the roadbed. The best cure for this is warm, dry temperatures and a good wind. If we attempt to haul gravel on top of this condition, it could turn it into a bigger mess. There is a saying in the trade that "adding a bucket of gravel to a bucket of mud just gets you a bigger bucket of mud." There is much truth to this quip, as adding sand or gravel to fill a mud hole usually has little or no effect because the gravel ends up mixing with the mud, just making more mud and sometimes aggravating the problem as equipment stirs things up.
Please understand that we can not grade at all times of the year. If gravel is too dry, it will not compact and quickly becomes rough again. If gravel is too wet, it will turn the surface of the road into a layer of mud. If gravel is frozen, it can not be easily cut or graded wit our truck blades. When conditions are right, most of our trucks are out grading our gravel roads.
7. Q.
Now that the frost is out, why are you pulling in the sod and
making a
huge mess on the gravel roads?
A. Road
Commission crews pull shoulders on
gravel roads in the county every spring before the grass begins to grow
on the
side of the road. This maintenance is done to reclaim gravel that has
been
pushed into the shoulder as well as to remove the berm on the roadside,
which
keeps the water from flowing off the road.
We lose a lot of gravel either from rain-washing it off the
road or
from vehicles kicking it up from normal driving. By doing this the Road
Commission can save thousands of tons of gravel. The process of pulling
shoulders involves a couple of steps. A truck or motor grader goes
through and
pulls the berm into the center of the road. Next, a truck or grader
"beats" the gravel out of the sod and mixes it with existing gravel.
This is not a thing that has done in one day. It can be a two-week
process. The
graders do come back on a regular basis to check on it and regrade as
necessary.
8. Q. The
gravel road I live on is full of
holes. When are you going to grade it?
A. In the spring, we go over the roads after the frost has left the ground. In the summer, we try to grade roads prior to having chloride applied. Sometimes we find it necessary to grade gravel roads after chloride has been applied, and will do so after a rain and the road has softened up. In the winter, there is not much we can do until the frost is out of the ground.
Please understand that we can not grade at all times of the year. If gravel is too dry, it will not compact and quickly becomes rough again. If gravel is too wet, it will turn the surface of the road into a layer of mud. If gravel is frozen, it can not be easily cut or graded wit our truck blades. When conditions are right, most of our trucks are out grading our gravel roads. CRA video about understanding regraveling county roads.
9. Q.
I live on a seasonal road. When
are seasonal roads maintained?
A. Routine
maintenance generally consists of grading once or twice a year during
the spring and summer. The Road Commission does not maintain or
snow plow seasonal roads between the months of November 1st through
April
30th. NO maintenance is conducted on these roads
during these months. Therefore, a seasonal road may not be open
to public travel during this time. In order to receive winter
maintenance, seasonal roads must be upgraded to the current Road
Commission's standards at other's expense. A public hearing is
required to make changes to the seasonal road system. If you would like more information
regarding
seasonal roads, you may contact the Road Commission.
10. Q. What
maintenance do you get with a
private road maintenance agreement?
A. The Road Commission does
general maintenance such as blading and snow plowing.
The Road Commission does not have any legal
right-of-way on properties. Therefore,
we do not do any work on driveways. It
is up to the property owner to maintain their driveway, culverts, and
ditches. Any correspondence regarding private roads must go through the Townships.
11. Q. What
do I need to do if I would like a
section of road abandoned?
A. The applicant shall submit a letter to the Road Commission requesting abandonment of a county road. Along with the letter, the requesting party must submit a petition containing the following information.
12. Q.
Who decides where traffic control devices are placed?
A. Traffic
signs, pavement markings and
traffic signals are the result of an engineering study conducted by the
Road
Commission. The Road Commission has the responsibility to place traffic
signs
and traffic signals at locations that have met a specific list of
warrants or
guidelines that are found in the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic
Control
Devices. To be effective, traffic controls should meet five basic
requirements:
1. Fulfill a need,
2. Command attention,
3. Convey a clear,
simple
meaning,
4. Command the respect
of road
users, and
5. Give adequate time
for
proper response.
Specific warning signs for schools, playgrounds, parks and
other
recreational facilities where persons are gathered and may be
vulnerable are
listed in the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and
available
for use where clearly justified. The Michigan Manual has lists of
traffic signs
that can be used and also their proper size and installation. The
Manual also
describes pavement markings and their specific uses.
13. Q.
Can you install a "Children at play" sign on my street?
A. At first
consideration, it might seem
that this sign would provide protection for youngsters playing in a
neighborhood. It does not. Studies conducted in cities where such signs
were
widely posted in residential areas show no evidence of having reduced
pedestrian
crashes, vehicles speeds or legal liability. In fact, many types of
signs,
which were installed, to warn of normal conditions in residential areas
failed
to achieve the desired safety benefits. Further, if signs encourage
parents to
believe that children have an added degree of protection - which the
signs do
not and cannot provide - a great disservice results. Obviously,
children should
not be encouraged to play in the roadway.
The "children at play" sign
is a direct and open suggestion that it is acceptable to do so.
Technically, it
is illegal for children to play in the street. "Children at play"
signs do not fulfill a need because children should not be playing in
the
street, and do not convey a clear, simple message, other than implying
to the
children that it is acceptable to play in the street. Federal standards
discourage the use of "children at play" signs. The Michigan Vehicle
Code prohibits the installation of any sign that is not specified in
the
Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the "children at
play" sign is not included in the Manual.
14. Q.
How are speed limits established?
A. Please view
the Establishing
Realistic Speed Limits brochure from the Michigan State Police
Office. You
can also learn more about speed limits by reading Section
257.627 of the Michigan Vehicle Code. Complaints regarding the
speed of
traffic and even petitions for lower speeds are very common. The
Michigan
Vehicle Code requires that drivers should, at all times; drive at
“reasonable
and proper” speeds, given the conditions. The law states: “Any person
driving a
vehicle on a highway shall drive at a careful and prudent speed not
greater
than nor less than what is reasonable and proper, having due regard to
the
traffic, surface and width of the highway and of any other conditions;
and no
person shall drive any vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than
will
permit him to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance
ahead.”
Prima facie speed limits The Michigan Vehicle Code sets speed limits
for roads
even where no speed limit is posted. These unposted speed limits are
known as
“prima facie” speed limits. The prima facie speed limits identified in
the law
are:
* Residential and
business
streets: Where no speed limit is posted, the prima facia speed limit on
paved
or gravel residential streets and streets in business districts is 25
mph.
* Parks: Unless a
different
speed is posted, the prima facie speed limit in parks is also 25 mph.
* Highways: On
highways
outside of residential or business districts, if no speed limit is
posted, the
prima facie speed limit is 55 mph.
When the prima facie limit is considered too high on a
county road, the
State Police, in conjunction with the Road Commission, conduct a speed
study to
determine the “reasonable and proper” speed for the road. Road agencies
around
the country have established standardized methods for conducting speed
studies.
These methods include engineering and traffic studies that examine such
things
as current traffic speed, traffic volume, accident rates, the character
of the
street (whether there are sidewalks, the number of driveways, sight
obstructions, etc.), pedestrian activities and potential hazards that
might not
easily be detected by drivers. To get an enforceable speed limit set or
changed
on a county road, it is necessary that the state police conduct a speed
study
and that the state police and the Road Commission concur on the speed
limit.
Unless the state police concur with the proposed speed limit, it is not
legally
enforceable.
15. Q.
There have been a lot of accidents at a corner in our
neighborhood. I
think we should have a traffic signal there. If I get enough
signatures, can we
have one?
A. We follow the State of
Michigan process for traffic signals. Michigan has developed a set of
11 guidelines,
called warrants, to determine whether a traffic signal is needed. The
most
closely reviewed warrants include three questions. Is sufficient
traffic coming
from the side road to require a signal? Is the main road's traffic flow
so
constant that side-road traffic cannot enter or cross the main road?
What is
the accident history at this location? Requests for traffic signals are
reviewed, with the decision based on State guidelines. Petitions are
not a
basis for the installation of a new traffic signal; however, they are
helpful
in bringing an intersection to our attention.
16. Q. Why
do some roads not have a stop or
yield sign?
A. There is no requirement
that an intersection must have some sort of traffic control installed,
whether
it is active (signal) or passive (signing).
The road agency would have the authority and responsibility to
evaluate
and determine the necessity for control at any intersection under their
jurisdiction. Many subdivisions
developed years ago were taken over by the Road Commission that did not
have
stop or yield signs installed. Now based on safety, traffic volume,
location,
accident history, etc., the road authority determines whether or not
signing
would be necessary for safety. These
uncontrolled intersections would fall under the rules that most states
honor
which require vehicles at an uncontrolled intersection to yield to the
vehicle
or traffic to the right.
17. Q.
What is the Road Commission right of way?
A. The width of the road right of way can vary a great deal. In general, the Road Commission right of way is typically 66 feet wide, approximately 33 feet on both sides of the section/survey line (which typically corresponds to the roadway centerline). There are instances where the roadway centerline does not match the section/survey line, and in these cases, the limits of the right of way are not quite as straightforward. The right-of-way may be narrower or wider or an additional easement was granted to the Road Commission.
The
Road Commission maintains record of the existing right-of-way and
easements are recorded with the Register of Deeds office. If a
property owner needs to identify where the limits of the road
right of way
are or need true locations of their property lines, a professional
surveying/engineering company should be hired.
The Road Commission has the responsibility and authority to regualte
all activites and work in the road right-of-way to assure efficeint and
safe operations of the road system. CRA video on R.O.W.
18. Q.
When do I need to get a permit from the Road Commission?
A. Anytime a
person or business does any
construction work in the road right-of-way (normally 66 feet wide - 33
feet
each direction from the center of the road) they need to obtain a
permit. This
applies to driveway installation or any other construction type
activity.
19. Q.
Can I fill in the ditch in front of my property?
A. If there is
a ditch along the road in
front of your property you should not fill it in even if it does not
drain
water along the road. The purpose of most roadside ditches is to
prevent water
from pooling on the roadway during or after a storm, to provide an area
for
snow storage from snowplowing operations, and to lower the water table
beneath
the roadbed. Filling in even a fairly shallow roadside ditch can cause
serious
damage to the road and pavement from frost heave.
20. Q. Do I
need a permit for a new driveway
even if I do the work myself?
A. Yes, a permit from the Road Commission is required anytime work is performed in County road right of way. When you apply for a permit, you are helping the Road Commission maintain safety for both yourself and the traveling public. Most traffic accidents occur at intersections or where vehicles are entering or leaving the roadway. The Road Commission inspects each proposed drive location to assure that adequate sight distance is available, to determine what drainage improvements might be necessary, and to review the site for other potential safety problems before a permit is issued.
There is a charge for
a residential driveway permit. There is
also a permit fee for most other minor work in road right of way. We require that all contractors follow
accepted traffic safety procedures and furnish adequate insurance
coverage to
protect both the homeowner and the public.
21. Q.
How do I get a culvert for a driveway?
A. The Road
Commission is not a supplier of
driveway culverts. As a property owner, you must obtain your driveway
culvert
from a local vendor. The only instances where we install driveway
culverts is
when we are doing a major ditching or construction project on your road.
22. Q.
I am fixing up my property. How
close to the road can I plant my shrubs or trees? How close to the road
can I
install a fence or put up a building?
A. Trees do add
beauty, color and character
to our roadsides, but if they are too close to the road edge, they can
be both
hazardous and a potential liability for property owners, utilities and
the Road
Commission. Therefore, we do not allow tree planting within the road
right-of-way. Normally the distance is
thirty-three feet from the center of the road, however there are
exceptions
depending which road you reside on.
If landscaping is placed too close to the edge of the road,
it can be a
hazard to the traveling public, maintenance vehicles, and pose a
potential
liability for property owners. In addition, of course, shrubs and trees
planted
in that area are exposed to damage from traffic, snowplowing, and
sweeping
operations. Please do not plant any trees or shrubs that may become a
vision
obstruction or that may grow into a large fixed object that presents
danger to
motorists anywhere inside the road right-of-way. Trees, landscaping and
underground sprinkler systems can ONLY be placed outside of the road
right-of-way.
Please call our office for more specific right-of-way
information. You
should also check with your township office for local zoning
requirements.
23. Q.
Who is responsible for the removal of
dead/dying trees in the right-of-way?
A. Dead/dying trees located
in the right-of-way are the responsibility of the property owner for
removal.
The Road Commission may remove trees from the public right-of-way that
is not
designed for vehicular travel, but has the discretion not to do so. If
a
property owner wishes to remove, trim or prune a tree that is located
in the
right-of-way they must complete a permit application to work within the
public
right-of-way with the Road Commission. A right-of-way application is
available
on our Permit page of this website.
24. Q.
Why are you cutting down the trees on my road?
A. Sometimes
roadsides have become overgrown
with brush and trees over the years to the point that fairly extensive
trimming
and cutting is necessary to restore safe sight distance for motorists
along the
road and to help prevent vehicle collisions. In some areas, trees and
brush
have to be cut in order to obtain the width needed for gravel
surfacing. We may
also remove dead trees wherever possible to prevent them from falling
into the
road.
25. Q.
There is a dead deer on the side of the road.
Who is responsible for moving it?
A. The Road
Commission will only remove
animal carcasses in the traveling portion of the county right-of-way
that
create a safety hazard to the traveling public. We do not have any way
to
properly dispose of animal carcasses.
26. Q.
Where can I install my mailbox?
A. Mailboxes shall be located on the right-hand side of the roadway in the direction of the delivery route. The bottom of the box shall be set at an elevation, established by the U.S. Postal Service, usually between 36 inches and 45 inches above the roadway surface. Typically, the roadside face of the mailbox is offset 8 inches to 12 inches from the outside edge of the road shoulder. Exceptions to the lateral placement criteria may occur on residential streets and certain designated rural roads where it is in the public interest to alter the location. On curbed streets, the roadside face of the mailbox shall be set back from the face of the curb a distance between 6 inches and 12 inches. On residential streets without curbs, or on all-weather shoulders, which carry low-traffic volumes and which, operate at low speeds, the roadside face of a mailbox shall be offset between 8 inches and 12 inches behind the edge of the pavement. Where a mailbox is located at an intersecting road, it shall be located no closer than a minimum of 100 feet from the intersection. The distance may need to be increased if safety needs so require.
Mailboxes and newspaper delivery boxes located in the
right-of-way
should be constructed in a manner, which does not interfere with the
safety of
the traveling public or the maintenance and operation of the road
system. A
mailbox installation that does not conform to the provisions of Road
Commission
policy will be considered as unauthorized encroachment on the
right-of-way and
removal shall be administered in accordance with State of Michigan Act
368,
Public Acts of 1925, as amended. This policy is consistent with the
rules and
regulations of the U.S. Postal Service. For more information on
installing mailboxes and posts, you may visit the USPS website at
https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm
27. Q.
What type of mailbox can I install?
A. Mailboxes shall be of light steel, metal or plastic construction conforming to requirements of the U.S. Postal Service. Newspaper delivery boxes shall be of light steel, metal or plastic construction of minimum dimensions suitable for holding a newspaper. No more than two mailboxes may be mounted on a support structure unless the support structure and mailbox arrangement meet American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standards. However, lightweight newspaper boxes may be mounted below the mailbox on the side of the mailbox support. Mailbox supports shall not be set in concrete unless the support has been shown to be safe by crash tests when so installed.
A single 4-inch x 4-inch
or
4-1/2-inch diameter wooden post or a metal post with a strength no
greater than
a 2-inch diameter standard strength steel pipe and embedded no more
than 24
inches into the ground will be acceptable as a mailbox support. A metal
post
shall not be fitted with an anchor plate but it may have an anti-twist
device
that extends no more than 10 inches below the ground surface. The
post-to-box
attachment details should be of sufficient strength to prevent the box
from
separating from the top post if the installation is struck by a
vehicle.
28. Q.
Can the Road Commission remove my mailbox?
A. Yes, any
mailbox that is found to violate
the intent of this policy shall be removed by the owner upon
notification. At
the discretion of the Road Commission and based on an assessment of
hazard to
the public, the owner will be granted not less than 24 hours nor more
than 30
days to remove an unacceptable installation. If not removed within the
specified time, the installation can be removed by the Road Commission
at the
owner’s expense as provided by Act 368, Public Acts of 1925, as
amended.
29. Q.
Where can I get information on current road conditions in
Michigan?
A. You can call
the Michigan State Police
Travel Hotline at 1-800-381-8477 or visit their Road Conditions Web
site for
current road conditions in Michigan. Please do not call your local
police
agency for road conditions during a storm because they need to keep
their phone
lines open for emergencies.
30. Q.
It snowed last night. When will my road be plowed?
A. Snow removal
is done on a priority
system. State Highways have the highest priority, then primary roads
followed
by local roads, which many people refer to as "side streets." We
strive to have all roads plowed, at least with a single pass, on the
first day.
This is not always possible due to unforeseen circumstances, such as
intensity
of storm, equipment breakdowns, and the 800+ miles of road we maintain.
31. Q.
How do you determine in what order to plow roads?
A. Road Commissions organize snow-plowing operations to service the most heavily traveled roadways first during and after a winter storm. Our first responsibility is to clear primary roads, and state highways in counties performing under contract with MDOT.
Typically,
local
roads and streets are among the last to be cleared. If the snow
continues to
fall or drift, we may have to return to the state highways and primary
roads
before we are able to continue plowing local roads and streets. After
those
roads are passable, crews move on to clear local paved roads throughout
the
county. Typically, local subdivision streets and rural gravel roads are
cleared
after all other higher traffic roads within about two days after the
storm.
Although our crews may begin plowing/salting several hours before the
morning
peak traffic, and continue operations into the night, extended winter
storms or
continuing winds may require crews to continually plow the main high
traffic
roads and prevent them from reaching subdivision streets or rural
gravel roads
for several days.
32. Q.
Is it legal to pass a snowplow?
A. There are no
state laws that prohibit
passing a snowplow. However, the action of passing can be extremely
dangerous
because pavement conditions vary across the path taken to pass.
Snowplows may
be equipped with wing plow blades that can extend anywhere between 2
and 10
feet beyond the width of the truck. This wing plow blade is often not
seen
because of the snow cloud being kicked up by the snowplow. These wing
plows can
often weigh as much as a compact car.
It is illegal to push snow
across a roadway...it is
dangerous!!!
Michigan
law states that the obstruction of safety vision by removal or
deposit of
snow, ice, or slush prohibited.
MICHIGAN
VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT)
Act
300 of 1949
257.677a Obstruction of safety vision by removal or deposit
of snow,
ice, or slush prohibited.
Sec. 677a.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) “Person” shall not include the state or a political
subdivision of
the state or an employee of the state or a political subdivision of the
state
operating within the scope of his duties.
(b) “Safety vision” means an unobstructed line of sight
enabling a
driver to travel upon, enter, or exit a roadway in a safe manner.
(2) A person shall not remove, or cause to be removed, snow,
ice, or
slush onto or across a roadway or the shoulder of the roadway in a
manner,
which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle
other than
off-road vehicles.
(3) A person shall not deposit, or cause to be deposited,
snow, ice, or
slush onto or across a roadway or the shoulder of the roadway in a
manner,
which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle.
(4) A person shall not deposit, or cause to be deposited,
snow, ice or
slush on any roadway or highway.
History: Add. 1978, Act 82, Imd. Eff. Mar. 29, 1978
A Road Commission truck pushed
snow back into my driveway after I cleaned it out...
Throughout the winter months, our crews will be out clearing
the roads
during and after snowfalls. At the same time, residents are clearing
their
driveways. Many times while this is going on, a snowplow truck will go
by and
fill in the end of a freshly cleared driveway with snow from the road,
causing
frustration and more clearing for residents. Please understand that the
Road
Commission’s first priority is the safety of the traveling public and
clearing
the roads of snow and ice and pushing it off of the road and shoulders,
and
sometimes into driveways, is a necessary wintertime evil. Residents
sometimes
call and ask why we cannot pick up the blade when going by their
driveway. This
is not a practical solution and our drivers would never finish clearing
the
roads hundreds of miles of road we maintain due to the multitude of
driveways.
There is, however, a method of clearing your driveway that can help
minimize
the amount of snow (and frustration) during the winter months:
* If possible (not
always
practical), clear your driveway after we have finished plowing the roads
* When clearing
your
driveway, place as much snow as possible in the direction of travel, on
the
downstream side of the road.
* Clear an area
upstream from
your driveway opening to form a "pocket" for the snow from the road
to go into. The result? More of the snow from the road will go into the
pocket
and less will wind up in the end of your driveway.
33. Q.
Why does the Road Commission push the snow off the road onto the
shoulder, only to come back and push the snow farther back on the
shoulder?
A. The Road
Commission usually makes one
pass to open the road up so that residents may get in and out. We then
come
back to widen the road, and then the shoulders for future snow
accumulation.
34. Q.
My mailbox and/or post were damage during a winter storm. Does the Road Commission replace them?
A. Road
Commission policy is to provide a
new standard mailbox and 4”X4”X8’ post to replace those which are
damaged due
to winter road maintenance activities. A
Road Commission representative will inspect the location of the damaged
mailbox
to determine whether winter road maintenance activities are the cause
of the
damage. In the case of a damaged mailbox
due to winter maintenance activities, a new standard mailbox and/or
post will
be provided. The installation of the new
post and mailbox will then be the responsibility of the property owner.
A properly installed mailbox and post in good condition will
generally
withstand the force of snow plowed against them. In
most cases, damage occurs during the
plowing process because aged posts are unable to withstand the force of
heavy
or wet snow hitting them.
CRA video on how to check your mailbox in the "Shake your mailbox" campaign.
35. Q.
Why do bridges and overpasses freeze before the surface of the
road?
A. Even while
the temperature on the road
surface is dropping, the heat underneath the road keeps it warm enough
to
prevent icing as temperatures drop below freezing. Bridges have no way
to trap
heat, so they continually lose heat and freeze shortly after
temperatures hit
the freezing point. The bottom line is that a bridge will follow the
air
temperature very closely. If the air temperature falls below freezing,
a
bridge’s surface will fall below freezing very quickly causing rain or
snow to
freeze and stick to the road surface.
36. Q.
Why can’t salt be put on roads and bridges before it snows?
A. Putting salt
on road surfaces prior to a
snowfall wastes time and money since salt often bounces from the dry
road
during application and, the portion that manages to land in the right
location
is subject to wind- which blows it off the road before it can do its
job. Salt
is most effective after snow has accumulated and the temperature is 20°
Fahrenheit
or higher. Under these conditions, the salt and snow will mix, melting
snow
into slush that can be plowed off the pavement. (This melting action
will occur
within two hours, less if traffic is using the highway.) If the
temperature is
below 20°F, the salt will have difficulty melting the snow and ice, so
other
methods are used. Abrasives are often put down for traction. Calcium
chloride
or other liquid treatments, including sugar beet based products, can be
added
to enhance the ability to melt the ice and snow. The Road Commission
may change
the mixture of salt and additives based on the ground temperature.
37. Q.
What is the importance of pavement and ground temperatures? Why
not rely
on just air temperature?
A. The ability
of a deicing agent to melt
snow and ice depends on the temperature of the roadway and not the air
temperature. During the fall, the pavement is often kept warmer than
the
surrounding air because of the warm soil. During the spring, the
reverse may be
true. The pavement temperatures can be colder than the air because the
soil is
still frozen from the low winter temperatures. The sun also has a
strong
influence on the pavement temperatures. It can help heat the pavement
and speed
the melting process. Air and pavement temperatures can differ by as
much as
20°F.
38. Q. I
have seen snowplows driving along during a storm with their plows
raised. Why
aren’t they plowing?
A. There are a
couple of reasons plows are
not always pushing snow. Plows may be in operation only to spread
materials, or
may be out of materials to spread and headed back to the garage to
reload.
Another possibility is that the driver does not have the responsibility
for the
road he is currently on, and is heading elsewhere. Plow routes along
the
hundreds of miles of roads we maintain are designed to minimize travel
in
between service areas. It is also possible that the road may have been
treated
with salt or de-icing products and plowing it may remove the mixture
before it
has an opportunity to work.
39. Q.
Why do workers spray liquid onto the roadways before a big storm
arrives?
A. It may seem dangerous to
add liquid to a road that might freeze, but the liquid is most likely
calcium
chloride or a beet juice mixture, which will prevent snow from sticking
to the
road and prevent frost or black ice.
40. Q. Why would salt be spread on a bare highway
after a snowstorm is over?
A. The
projected temperature of the road
surface will impact the final treatment of a road. If plowing
operations have
finished and a road is left in “black and wet” condition, there is
sometimes a
danger of the water on the road re-freezing. There are times,
especially at
night, when this post storm salt application may be necessary.
41. Q.
Who takes care of street lights?
A. Typically Consumers Energy takes care of street lights. The general services phone number for the Consumers Energy is 1-800-477-5050 and follow the prompts or you may report the outage on their website at: https://www.consumersenergy.com/outages/outage-center
42. Q.
A county truck threw a stone into my windshield. Is the Road
Commission
going to pay for it?
A. Contact your
insurance company to see if
you have applicable coverage before contacting our office.
The law is such that the Road Commission
cannot pay for personal damage out of public funds.
43. Q.
Where does the Road Commission get its operating funds?
A. The Road Commission's
main source of funding is the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF), which
is
comprised of gas & weight taxes and driver's license fees. It is
distributed by the State through a formula. In addition, the townships
contribute money to the local road system for local road improvements.
The Road
Commission does not have a county-wide millage for roads.
44. Q.
My property taxes go up every year, why doesn't the Road
Commission fix
my road?
A. The Road Commission does not directly receive any property tax revenue. Most property tax revenue goes to the State of Michigan and local school districts to pay for school operations, while small amounts go to the County General Fund and Township government administration, with special voted mileages going to fund certain functions like the library, Central Dispatch (911), and others.
Tax money the Road Commission receives for road maintenance comes from the Michigan Transportation Fund administered by the State of Michigan. State collected fuel taxes, license fees, and vehicle registration fees make up most of this fund, which is divided by law among the State, 83 counties, and 534 cities and villages, with the State keeping about forty percent for their programs. While these funds help us provide basic services such as grading gravel roads, pothole patching, and snow plowing, this level of funding does not allow us to make significant improvements on most County Local Roads.
The
Road Commission actively seeks State and Federal grant funds whenever
available, and encourages participation in road improvement projects by
other
agencies and local Township Government. Unfortunately for most local
roads,
most grant programs target their funding to the main Primary County
Roads,
which in most cases are already paved and in fairly good condition, and
most
Townships operate on a modest budget that cannot provide the large
amount of
funds necessary to upgrade or pave many roads.