ROAD COMMISSION

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- The community is encouraged to attend an informational meeting Thursday on roundabouts the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County is planning to build at two Oshtemo Township intersections this construction season. The $1.9 million project is scheduled to begin Monday, March 20, and estimated to be completed by Aug. 11, 2023, the road commission said. Roundabouts have proven successful in reducing these issues, road commission officials said in a statement. The road commission is planning to post a recording of the meeting online following the meeting here for people unable to attend. The city of Kalamazoo is working to choose three different neighborhoods where it will install roundabouts this construction season.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Lingering controversies at the county Road Commission are bad enough that members of the Board of Commissioners are talking about their “nuclear options,” which include letting voters rather than themselves pick the agency’s governing board. “We have a responsibility to get to the bottom of whatever’s going on,” said Commissioner Delrico Loyd, D-Flint, who asked to postpone appointing a new road commissioner to complete Arceo’s term. Currently in Genesee County, commissioners appoint the five road commissioners to six-year terms, but have no day-to-day oversight of the county road system. Once selected, road commissioners make decisions about the agency’s budget and personnel, including the evaluation and hiring or firing of the manager-director. Read more at The Flint Journal:Genesee County road commissioner could be replaced by former Clayton supervisorKildee restarts push to restore pensions of retired Delphi salaried workersBuy your own boots, Flint Township board tells building inspector

Gehringer had been recommended by Ellenburg’s temporary committee for the Road Commission seat — a post that had been held by David Arceo of Flint Township until his resignation in September. In addition to Gehringer, other candidates for the Road Commission job include former county Commissioner Ted Henry, D-Clayton Township; former Road Commissioner Robert Johnson of Mt. Morris Township; and Jerry Preston of Flint Township, the former president of the Flint Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Read more at The Flint Journal:GM to make ‘positive plant manufacturing announcement’ at Flint Engine17 file for 2 seats on Genesee County Board of Commissioners. Here’s who they areGenesee County road commissioner could be replaced by former Clayton supervisor

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- David Arceo has resigned from his position as a member of the county Road Commission and a committee of the Board of Commissioners is recommending that a former Clayton Township supervisor fill out the remainder of his term. Other candidates for the job include former county Commissioner Ted Henry, D-Clayton Township; former Road Commissioner Robert Johnson of Mt. Morris Township; and Jerry Preston of Flint Township, the former president of the Flint Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The road commissioner’s letter of resignation makes no reference to the CPSA’s call for his removal. “I have enjoyed working for the Genesee County Road Commission and appreciate the support provided me during my tenure ...,” the resignation letter says.

GRAND BLANC TWP., MI -- An extension of South Dort Highway from I-75 to Baldwin Road has been described as Genesee County’s missing transportation link for decades. “We are very grateful to have this road here to help us with our development,” Township Supervisor Scott Bennett said. “When you have more involved, it makes it more difficult.”Construction on the extension started in 2020 with initial work from I-75 to Cook Road. “We’re all excited to open this road today ... to put in a brand new road in an area (that was challenging). Read more at The Flint Journal:Genesee County hits $5.6 million funding jackpot for Dort Highway extensionHere are the biggest, most disruptive and unusual road projects in Genesee County this yearThree roundabouts from Dort Highway extension to open to traffic soon

The planned construction of two roundabouts in White Lake Township has been delayed until 2023, according to the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC).

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- Three new roundabouts are coming to locations in Kalamazoo County, and meetings are scheduled for people to learn about the work. The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County received funding for two new roundabouts, one at the intersection of Parkview Avenue and 11th Street, and another at the intersection of Parkview Avenue and 12th Street, for 2023 construction. Roundabouts have proven successful in reducing these issues, road commission officials said in a statement. Construction on the Parkview roundabout projects is tentatively scheduled to start in spring 2023 and to be completed by fall 2023, RCKC said. The road commission plans to hold additional sessions as the projects approach their starting dates, she said.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Richard A. Hammel, a former chairman of the county Board of Commissioners and manager-director of the county Road Commission, has died at 85. Morris Township resident who had lived in National City from 1992 until his death on April 9. Hammel was well known in county politics, helping to form what was known as the “orange and black team,” a grassroots campaign group that dominated Mt. Morris Township politics for two decades. In addition to Richard E. Hammel, Richard A. Hammel is survived by three additional children -- Theresa Miller, Susan Hart, and Cheryl Bennett.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- As the flowers bloom and construction season begins, bringing bright orange cones with it, the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County has released a list of extensive projects that are currently scheduled. “We would like to thank residents for their patience as we work towards improving our roads and updating infrastructure over the course of the 2022 construction season,” Road Commission of Kalamazoo County Communications Administrator Sarah Phillips said.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Local governments got millions in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the federal government but the county Road Commission was left out of that distribution, leaving its employees who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic without premium pay. “They have been out there in person” performing essential work during the pandemic, Clemons said of the Road Commission employees. Commissioners will consider the Road Commission premium pay resolution during a committee meeting Wednesday and could give the $508,500 expense final approval when they meet as a full board next week. Like the premium pay provided to non-Road Commission employees, the payments decrease depending on how long the employee worked during the pandemic. Read more:Flint, Genesee County employees in line for COVID-19 bonus payFlint water crisis civil trial will go on after juror’s emergency absenceFlint transportation director leaving to head Lapeer County Road Commission

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Repairs on a heaved slab of northbound I-75 near the I-69 exchange will close two lanes of traffic in that direction during the evenings of both Monday, March 14, and Tuesday, March 15. The county Road Commission says it will close the left two lanes of northbound I-75 in the area, weather permitting, from 10 p.m. Monday until 1 a.m. Tuesday to prepare for repairs. On Tuesday, the Road Commission is scheduled to close the left two lanes of northbound I-75 in the same area from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, so that the damaged freeway slab can be removed. Work on both Monday and Tuesday will also impact traffic coming onto I-75 from Bristol Road, the county said in a news release. The Road Commission says drivers in the area should allow additional time to reach their destination while work is ongoing.

Elisa Volcic was killed walking home from Stoney Creek High School when she was hit by a car. The driver was another student. It happened near Tienken Road and Clear Creek Drive.

A winter storm warning is in effect through Thursday (Feb. 3), and snow is continuously falling and building up across Metro Detroit.

All is quiet in the Monroe plow shed, but they will soon start putting the blades on within the next few minutes. Some trucks were salting the streets as they waited for temperatures to drop when rain turns into ice.

GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The blades have been sharpened and the salt has been stockpiled. The county Road Commission says it’s ready for what’s expected to be the biggest snowstorm of 2022 with drivers prepared to start shifts early Wednesday, Feb. 2, just as rain is expected to change over to snow.

It’s going to be rough on the roads later this week as forecasters expect a massive two day snow event.

Road commissions in Metro Detroit are mobilizing to deal with what is likely going to be some sloppy road conditions.

KALAMAZOO, MI — After six months of construction, work on Nichols Road is nearing completion, the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County reports. Work on Nichols Road from West Main Street to Ravine Road began on May 19. The road could reopen to traffic on Saturday, Nov. 20, weather permitting, the road commission said. The project includes roadway resurfacing of Nichols Road from West Main Street to Ravine Road and shoulder widening for non-motorized, curb and gutter, and storm sewer installation on Nichols Road between Alamo Avenue to Ravine Road. The traffic signal at Nichols Road and Grand Prairie was replaced and modernized, the road commission said.

The Road Commission for Oakland County is looking to hire 24 part-time seasonal drivers and laborers to assist their full-time staff for winter this year.

Pipeline maintenance is closing part of Livernois Road in Rochester Hills for just over two weeks.

With Michigan winter approaching, Metro Detroit road commissions that are facing staff shortages are looking to hire.

There is a long list of road commission jobs available in Metro Detroit.

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI – Motorists who drive around road-closed barriers may end up stuck like two drivers did recently in Kalamazoo County. The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County posted two photos of vehicles on Facebook that were stuck on an under-construction road, which is closed to traffic in Kalamazoo Township. The drivers disregarded signs and barricades saying Nichols Road was closed at Ravine Road, the post said. A driver ignored a road closed barrier at Nichols Road in Kalamazoo Township and drove into a construction zone before getting stuck. The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County is reminding drivers to not move barriers and instead follow detours.

Dequindre Road is closed from Avon to School roads in Rochester Hills due to a large sinkhole, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s office.

PORTAGE, MI – Construction on Sprinkle Road begins Monday, June 21. The construction will disrupt one of the highest-traffic volume roads in the county, according to a news release from the Road Commission of Kalamazoo. About 30,000 vehicles drive on Sprinkle Road every day, not including drivers detoured off of I-94 by the ongoing construction there, the release said. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained along Sprinkle Road. Updates will also be posted on social media, along with a weekly update from the road commission.

A busy road in Oakland County might get a new makeover, and residents are being asked to share their input.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Residents in Washtenaw County can chat with road crews about projects each week through March. The Washtenaw County Road Commission is hosting “Chat with the Road Commission” via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays for the community to learn about how roads projects are selected and funded. Participants are asked to RSVP online through the road commission’s calendar or by phone at 734-761-1500. The weekly chat will not accommodate general public comments reserved for the road commission’s regular board meetings. Board meetings will be held through Zoom through at least March 31, spokeswoman Emily Kizer said in an email.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Federal funding will be used to purchase GPS devices that can adjust traffic patterns for improved fire department response times in Kalamazoo County. The grant will finance the installation of the signal upgrade at 20 signals in Comstock Township and 15 vehicle kits for emergency response vehicles, according to the release. Map of Highway Safety Improvement project between Road Commission of Kalamazoo County and Comstock Township Fire Department. (Provided by Kalamazoo County Road Commission)The GPS devices in the vehicles will communicate to the traffic signals to adjust traffic patterns to improve response time. Additionally, the technology is expected to save wear and tear on department vehicles by minimizing aggressive stops and turns at signal-controlled intersections.

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has opened the Maple Road and Middlebelt Road intersection in West Bloomfield Township, which had been closed for the completion of the roundabout at the intersection. The roundabout was opened for the winter, with work resuming in the spring. For the work this year, Maple Road has been closed at Middlebelt Road. The approximately $6.6 million safety-improvement project was funded with a mix of federal and local dollars. Local funding was shared by RCOC, West Bloomfield Township and Oakland County general government through the Tri-Party Program.

BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. The Road Commission for Oakland County is accepting applications for up to 25 part-time snow plow drivers for this winter, according to a release. Applicants must have a valid Michigan commercials drivers license with an A endorsement and will be required to pass a pre-employment driving test and background check. These positions have also become a good stepping stone to permanent positions at the Road Commission as full-time employees retire. It is also a great opportunity for retirees to return to work on a part-time basis and pick up some supplemental income." The position pays up to $20 an hour and includes snow plowing, salting and other road maintenance duties, according to the statement.

Consumers Energy will be making the repairs and the road is expected to reopen later Monday. (WDIV)ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. - A private contractor has hit a gas main causing Kern Road to close just north of Silverbell Road in Orion Township, according to the Road Commission for Oakland County. Consumers Energy will be making the repairs and the road is expected to reopen later Monday. Kern Road is a detour for the Adams and Gunn roads closure and motorists will need to seek an alternate route. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

WEBSTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Some Washtenaw County residents are raising health concerns because the Road Commission is spraying herbicides along roads. The Washtenaw County Road Commission conducts a roadside vegetation control program yearly. Webster Township residents are worried that the chemicals used to kill weeds and prevent overgrowth could be harmful to humans and animals. "All of this is part of our efforts of trying to maintain the roadside, which is part of our state. We're, by law, required to maintain the roads," said Emily Kizer, with the Road Commission.

Some Washtenaw County residents are raising health concerns because the Road Commission is spraying herbicides along roads. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is looking to hire 32 seasonal summer laborers. This seasonal workforce is a great asset to the Road Commission, RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar said. This gives the Road Commission an opportunity to expand our workforce and maximize productivity during the road-construction season.Those interested should go to www.rcocweb.org and click on the Careers button. On the Current Job Openings page, find the posting for Seasonal Summer Laborer. The posting provides additional job information as well as the option to apply for the position.