The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) plans to construct more than $34 million worth of road projects during the 2012 construction season.
Road construction season starts as soon as weather permits and runs until weather prohibits further work, typically in mid-November.
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This year's project list is comprised of 18 projects, including road widenings, reconstructions, gravel road pavings and bridge replacements as well as others.
Oakland County construction projects include:
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The widening of Crooks Road from Star Batt Drive to north of Hamlin in Rochester Hills, which will be reconstructed as a five-lane road.
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The complete reconstruction of Lahser Road between 11 Mile and 12 Mile roads in Southfield, including the addition of a continuous, center left-turn lane.
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The paving of the gravel portion of Cooley Lake Road from east of Duck Lake Road to Mystic Valley Street on the Milford Twp./Highland Twp. border and the White Lake Twp./Commerce Twp. border.
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Replacement of the Avon Road bridge over the Clinton River in Rochester Hills.
"We have an aggressive road improvement program this year, despite the continued insufficiency of state and federal road funding," stated RCOC Chairman Eric Wilson. "However, we are still barely scratching the surface of the road needs in Oakland County, and even with these projects, the system is still deteriorating faster than we can improve it, due to Michigan's decades of under-funding its roads.
How projects are being paid for:
Most of the 2012 road improvements are being paid for through multiple funding sources, as RCOC continues to seek ways to stretch its limited resources. Eighty percent of the cost of most of the major road construction projects will be paid for with federal road dollars (generated by the federal gas tax), with the remaining 20 percent typically split between RCOC and the local community in which the projects take place.
A number of projects will also be funded through the Tri-Party Program, which is a combination of dollars in equal parts from three sources: Oakland County general government, the Road Commission and individual communities. "The Tri-Party program is a great way to leverage our limited resources and construct some badly needed projects that we otherwise would not be able to undertake," Wilson said.
Stay safe on the road during construction projects:
Wilson cautioned motorists to expect delays on various roads around the county as the projects get underway. "It is inevitable that motorists will experience delays in some cases. We understand the frustration this causes, and we ask that motorists, residents and businesses please be patient as we strive to provide a better road system. Unfortunately, we must endure a little pain in order to gain the benefits of improved roads."
Wilson also asked motorists to remember the workers in construction areas.
"Road work can be dangerous. I ask that drivers please pay careful attention and reduce their speeds when they are driving in construction zones," he said.