The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) plans slightly more than $66 million worth of road improvements for the 2017 road-construction season, ranging from road widening and reconstruction projects to concrete-slab replacement and resurfacing jobs to bridge maintenance and culvert replacements and repairs.
“Road construction season is around the corner and RCOC has been busy planning projects on many roads throughout Oakland County,” stated RCOC Chairman Eric Wilson. “These important improvements will enhance the quality of life and the business environment in the county.”
Wilson acknowledged that the amount of work will increase this year as new funding from recently enacted legislation gives RCOC the ability to improve many roads. “We’re pleased to see additional revenue coming in from the state,” he explained. “The additional funding is welcome and needed for addressing nearly $3 billion in road needs throughout Oakland County.”
RCOC Vice Chairman Greg Jamian agreed. “We continue to ask for the public’s patience as we improve the road system,” he noted. “The public wants to see the new gas-tax and vehicle-registration fees revenue go toward improving roads, and we are answering that call,” he said, referring to the state road-funding package that began to generate new revenue on Jan. 1 of this year.
RCOC Commissioner Ron Fowkes added that this year’s investment in the transportation infrastructure will help everyone who lives, works and visits Oakland County. “The improving economy continues to bring more people back to work, putting more traffic on our road system that has been underfunded for decades. Good roads continue to impact quality of life and help our business community continue to thrive,” he said. “We thank the Michigan Legislature for working with us and providing additional revenue needed to improve the road system.”
“This year, RCOC will be doing preservation overlays on close to 37 miles of roads throughout Oakland County,” added RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar. “Preservation overlays are simple asphalt resurfacing projects of primary/heavier-traveled roads that are in moderately good condition. Their impact on traffic is typically minimal,” he explained.
A few 2017 projects of note:
· Widen and reconstruct Baldwin Road between Morgan and Gregory roads in Orion Twp. (a multi-year project that will start later this year).
· Widen and reconstruct Dequindre Road between Long Lake Road and Burningbush Street on the Troy/Sterling Heights border (multi-year project).
· Reconstruct Orchard Lake Road as a four-lane boulevard between Northwestern Highway and Maple Road in West Bloomfield Twp.
· Reconstruct Lahser Road between Civic Center Drive and the Lodge freeway (M-10) in Southfield.
· Construct a roundabout at the 10 Mile/Napier intersection in Lyon Township/Novi.
· Resurface and add a continuous center left-turn lane on Maple Road between Haggerty and Drake roads in West Bloomfield Twp. (multi-year project).
· Resurface (“preservation overlay”) Oakwood Road from Leece Road to M-24, in Brandon and Oxford townships
Work will start on some projects as early April; however, utility relocation work for several upcoming projects started in early March. Others will start at various points throughout the construction season.
The complete listing of the projects planned for 2017 is attached.
