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. If your township has a road millage, then your township receives the proceeds and decides what road projects to complete during the year. The Road Commission works directly with townships on completing the projects.

A: The only tax money the Road Commission receives for road maintenance comes from the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) 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 83 counties and 534 cities and villages, with about forty percent used for state transportation programs. While these funds help us provide basic services such as grading gravel roads, pothole patching, and snow plowing, this level of funding doesn’t allow us to make significant improvements on most County Local Roads. Other sources of funds include Federal, State, and Township contributions which are all project specific and cannot be used for general operating functions.

A: The Road Commission is the agency that installs and maintains all traffic signs on county roads. State law requires the Road Commission to follow the requirements of the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD). In order to install regulatory-type signs such as no parking signs and speed limit signs, the Road Commission must initiate a traffic study of the road in conjunction with the Michigan State Police (MSP). The study includes a review of traffic counts, accident history, speed studies, the character of the area along the road, and any other information available regarding the problems in the area. While the Road Commission is a participant in the traffic study and analysis, the guidelines of the MMUTCD and judgment of the MSP largely determine what speed limit will be adopted. At the conclusion of the study the MSP issues a written Traffic Control Order directing the Road Commission to install specific signs at specific locations on the road, and to record the completed Traffic Control Order at the County Clerk’s office.

A: This process of spreading tar and laying gravel down is referred to as sealcoating, which many road agencies in Michigan use as a relatively low- cost method of preserving existing pavements. 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 porous stone that we use to cover the asphalt emulsion sticks and, after rolling and sweeping, provides a slightly roughened, skid-resistant surface to improve safety. 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. As vehicles travel over the newly applied surface, some of the aggregate 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 practice is to reduce one’s speed and keep plenty of distance from the vehicle in front of you.

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 roadway centerline (which typically corresponds with the section/survey line). If the property owner needs to identify where the limits of the road right-of-way are or needs true locations of their property lines, a professional surveying/engineering company should be hired.

A: Snow removal priorities are determined by the most heavily traveled roadways first. Plowing begins with state highway trunk lines, primary roads, and then local roads/subdivisions. During snow storms that have heavy accumulations or accumulation over several days, it could take more than one day to clear all the roads in the County.

A: All season roads are those that have been designed and built with additional strength and durability to withstand truck traffic 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. All other roads under the jurisdiction of the Delta County Road Commission are restricted to a 35% reduction per axle in allowable loading during seasonal weight restrictions.  View All Season Road List

A: The Delta County Road Commission will only remove dead animals from the roadway (traveled portion of the road) when they present a safety hazard to traffic. Any dead animals that are a safety hazard will be dragged off the traveled portion of the road. In higher populated areas, dead animals will be removed from the traveled roadway. Animals that die and are not a safety hazard and do not interfere with maintenance activities will be left where they lie (including ditches along the roadway).  View Road Killed Deer Policy

A: Yes, all property owners and contractors must apply for a permit to do any work within the County right-of-way. DCRC 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. You can apply for a driveway and or a right-of-way permit online at https://www.oxcartpermits.com
More information can be found on our Permits page or by calling the Delta County Road Commission at (906) 786-3200.
*If you are working within the ROW on a State Highway, please contact your local MDOT office for more information.