WASHTENAW COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A bridge west of Ann Arbor that has been closed for more than a decade will soon be no more. Crews working for the Washtenaw County Road Commission are set to begin removing the bridge on Liberty Road in Lima Township beginning on Monday, Feb. 6. The bridge across Mill Creek between Guenther and Dancer roads, some seven miles west of Ann Arbor city limits, closed in 2011 after a regular inspection revealed extensive structural deterioration, making it unsafe, officials said. The structure is being removed because of its condition and the duration of the closure, under an agreement between the road commission and the Michigan Department of Transportation. Read more: 10 Washtenaw County bridges in ‘severe’ need of rehab or replacement, state report showsThe bridge dates back to 1932, according to a state bridge database.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - An intersection northeast of Dexter on North Territorial Road will look very different by the end of the year. The junction of North Territorial and Webster Church roads, in northern Washtenaw County, is set for a $1.4-million safety improvement project during the upcoming construction season, Washtenaw County Road Commission officials said. Meanwhile, Webster Church Road will close to all traffic between Lori Lynn Lane and Ralaric Drive, immediately to the north and south of the North Territorial intersection. When the project wraps up, both Webster Church and North Territorial roads will have left turn lanes at the intersection, Road Commission Assistant Director of Engineering Brent Schlack said during the presentation. North Territorial will stay open during that project, with daytime lane closures and flagging while it occurs sometime over the summer.

Learn how the Washtenaw County Road Commission tackles large winter storms.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - As a major winter storm promising snow, powerful winds and bitterly cold temperatures bears down on southeast Michigan, Washtenaw County snowplow drivers won’t be taking the holiday weekend off. “With the holiday we have already been scheduling people,” said Washtenaw County Road Commission Managing Director Sheryl Siddall. The road commission handles all public roads outside city or village limits, some 1,600 miles of county roads and nearly 600 lane miles of highways and expressways. The road commission operates based on a priority system during winter conditions that puts heavily-trafficked primary routes, like highways and paved county roads, ahead of lower-volume roads. For more information on winter maintenance operations from the Road Commission, click here.

More seasonal drivers are needed to maintain 598 lane miles of state highways and 1,649 miles of road within Washtenaw County.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - For at least the second year running, Washtenaw County roads officials are looking to bolster the ranks of the fleet of drivers who clear thousands of miles of state highways and county roads when winter snow storms hit. But this year with CDL drivers still in high demand across the country, difficulty topping off its workforce is something the Washtenaw County Road Commission has adapted to, according to spokesperson Emily Kizer. Heavily-trafficked primary routes like highways and paved county roads get first priority, followed by lower-volume routes, subdivision roads and unpaved roadways. The initiative allowing school children the chance to decorate plows makes the road commission’s orange trucks traveling art galleries as they traverse the county this winter. Have more questions about winter road maintenance in Washtenaw County?

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Can you teach an old bridge new tricks? Planners behind the Washtenaw County Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail hope so. Photos from the Washtenaw County Road Commission show crews using a crane to remove the Bell Road Bridge from its abutments on the Huron River in 1997.Provided by Washtenaw County Road CommissionThere the aging metal behemoth sat for more than 20 years, vegetation growing up through its beams. A conceptual rendering shows a potential reuse of the decommissioned Bell Road Bridge, an 131-year-old structure placed on the river bank near Dexter in the late 1990s, as part of the Washtenaw County Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail. With those plans in motion, time will tell if the structure’s 133rd year will see it back in action in Washtenaw County.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A historic one-lane bridge over the Huron River just outside Ann Arbor has twice closed this year to allow for the completion of different phases of a rehabilitation project to extend its already lengthy 146-year lifespan. On Wednesday, Oct. 12 — for the second time this year — the Maple Road Bridge reopened ahead of schedule. The Washtenaw County Road Commission initially predicted a roughly two-week closure to finish paving the approach on the south side of the bridge and install a dry hydrant, beginning Monday, Oct. 10. Over the summer, crews repainted the metal-truss bridge, dating back to 1876, alongside a similar bridge over the Huron River at East Delhi Road in Scio Township. The projects were meant to boost the useful lives of the two bridges, among the oldest in the entire state of Michigan, according to a state bridge database.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - As summer comes to a close, so is a major construction project at an intersection northeast of Ann Arbor. On Friday afternoon, Sept. 23, a new roundabout opened after more than three months of construction at the intersection of North Territorial Road and Pontiac Trail in Salem Township, according to an announcement from the Washtenaw County Road Commission. On June 13, the Road Commission closed the intersection to all traffic to construct the new, single-lane roundabout. The Road Commission recently completed another roundabout at what was formerly a four-way stop in Scio Township, at the intersection of Liberty and Zeeb roads. The Oakland County Road Commission also completed a roundabout at the intersection of 8 Mile Road and Currie Road at the border of Salem and Lyon townships in early August.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Washtenaw County’s newest roundabout is here. The new traffic circle installed at the intersection of Liberty and Zeeb roads in Scio Township, west of Ann Arbor, officially opened to traffic on Tuesday, Sept. 13, according to a notice from the Washtenaw County Road Commission. Road Commission officials say the single-lane roundabout is intended to ease traffic congestion while keeping speeds low and ensuring driver safety. The construction was initially scheduled to go ahead last year, but officials postponed it facing high construction bid prices. More from The Ann Arbor News:Overdose deaths up 28% in Washtenaw County for 2021Man accused of robbing banks in Ann Arbor indicted on federal charges8-story development called Southtown proposed on Ann Arbor’s State StreetUnexpected death of high school teacher announced by Saline schools

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A historic bridge over the Huron River just outside Ann Arbor is reopening ahead of schedule after a rehabilitation project kept it shuttered for much of the summer. The Washtenaw County Road Commission closed the Maple Road Bridge, also known as the Foster Bridge, in early July, and it reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 24, according to a project advisory. The Maple Road Bridge, located in Ann Arbor Township, was rededicated in 2003 after residents fought for a preservation effort rather than a replacement of the then-ailing bridge. Read more: Historic bridge over Huron River near Ann Arbor reopens after rehabilitation workThe two bridges both originated at Canton, Ohio’s Wrought Iron Bridge Company and rank among the oldest in Michigan, according to a state bridge database. More from The Ann Arbor News:Ann Arbor tops list of Michigan cities among America’s best, Livability saysHopes for neighborhood retail at troubled Ann Arbor site slowly fadingVirginia Patton Moss, long-time Ann Arbor resident and ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ actor, dies at 97Developer unveils plan for 631-bed high-rise near University of Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MI -- There are a handful of construction projects in Washtenaw County that could impact commute times, traffic and road closures this week. The project is expected to be completed in late August or early September, according to the Washtenaw County Road Commission. The intersection will be closed to all traffic during construction, according to the Washtenaw County Road Commission. The project started July 5 and plans to be completed in mid-August, according to a Washtenaw County Road Commission release. To keep up with road closures and other construction projects, visit Washtenaw County Road Commission’s website or MDOT’s website.

ANN ARBOR, MI - Students can once again showcase their artistic talents on the Washtenaw County Road Commission’s snow plows. The road commission’s Paint-a-Plow Program showcases local student artwork on its snow plows, while also helping students learn about the services WCRC provides to the community. The painted plows are used in the county throughout the winter, and are sometimes used at events within the school community, including parades.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A historic wrought-iron bridge over the Huron River just outside Ann Arbor has reopened after a rehabilitation project shuttered the single-lane structure in mid-July. The East Delhi Road Bridge in Scio Township is officially open to traffic as of Wednesday, July 27, according to the Washtenaw County Road Commission.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - The second in a series of temporary Amtrak closures at Washtenaw County railroad crossings is slated to begin on Wednesday. The Superior Road railroad crossing, between Huron River Drive and Geddes Road north of Ypsilanti, is slated to close to all traffic beginning on July 20, and lasting for approximately four days, according to a notice from the Washtenaw County Road Commission. Read more: Amtrak temporarily closing railroad crossing in Washtenaw CountyThe passenger rail service’s Wolverine route passes through Ypsilanti on its way west to Ann Arbor. The Road Commission has posted a detour around the Superior Road crossing, located in Superior Township across the Huron River from Trinity Health St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor. It routes vehicles along North Huron River Drive, Leforge Road and Geddes Road.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - A well-traveled thoroughfare between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti is closed to all traffic most of this summer for a Washtenaw County Road Commission reconstruction project. A short section of Packard Road between U.S. 23 and Carpenter Road in Pittsfield Township, just outside Ann Arbor’s eastern city limit, will remain off-limits to all vehicles for roughly eight weeks.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Flowers are blooming and leaves reappearing. With spring, comes road construction season in Washtenaw County, where a suite of projects are already underway for the 2022 warm weather window running through the fall. Projects include rehab work on 130-year-old historic bridges, a trio of new roundabouts and safety improvements courtesy of the Washtenaw County Road Commission, tasked with maintaining roadways outside of city or village limits.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - With sun and weekend temperatures forecasted to reach near 60, don’t let your eyes get lost in the clouds. It’s officially pothole season in Michigan and the Washtenaw County Road Commission officials say crews are working nonstop to patch the perennial pavement hazards — at least when they’ve got a break from the snow.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Road crews in Washtenaw County will run the gamut of winter weather on Thursday, Feb. 17 and Friday, Feb. 18 as a storm bears down on southeast Michigan. Beginning on Thursday morning, Washtenaw County Road Commission personnel were out responding to reports of water on the road, as the frozen ground gave snowmelt and rain no place to go, according to an email from Road Commission spokesperson Emily Kizer. Drivers are advised to not drive through water on the roadway and can report conditions to 734-761-1500, according to the Road Commission. A winter storm warning is in effect for Washtenaw County from 3 p.m. on Thursday to 3 a.m on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. More from The Ann Arbor News:Dog found frozen to death inside cage in middle of field, officials sayYpsilanti officials release details about fatal crash that occurred minutes after police traffic stopMore Washtenaw County schools make masks optional

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - After a 16-hour shift tending to major roadways on Wednesday, Feb. 2, Washtenaw County snowplows are beginning to turn to less-traveled routes as the snowstorm tapers off. “It’s going to take a couple days to get around to everybody, especially with how heavy the snow came, how wet the snow was,” said Washtenaw County Road Commission spokesperson Emily Kizer. Read more: Which Washtenaw County governments are still closed Thursday, Feb. 3? Here’s a listThe road agency runs 45 primary routes, there are more than 40 snowplows traversing the county, Kizer said. On Wednesday across the county, road crews dumped approximately 1,200 tons of road salt and used about 1,700 gallons of brine, as well as 40 tons of grit, officials said.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Road crews are predicting “multiple 16-hour days in a row” as snowplow drivers work around the clock during this week’s forecasted snowstorm. The Washtenaw County Road Commission is preparing for more snow than the area has seen in several years, according to spokesperson Emily Kizer. The plows have blind spots, and the road commission asks drivers to avoid tailgating or cutting in front of the trucks. In preparation for the storm, officials also ask residents to park vehicles off the street, if possible, and move waste bins off the road. While it is unlikely road commission plows will respond to isolated vehicle crashes or other incidents, officials will be in constant communication with emergency first responders, Kizer said.

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

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI-- Washtenaw County students can showcase their artistic talent in a unique way this winter -- on a snow plow. The Washtenaw County Road Commission is accepting applications for its Paint-a-Plow Program. Applications are open to any Washtenaw County school and are due by Aug. 13. The painted plows will be on display at the road commission and will be used to help keep roads clear of snow and ice this winter. The Paint a Plow program also is an opportunity for Washtenaw County children to learn about what services the road commission provides, officials said.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — Preventative chip seal work will cause road closures in Ypsilanti and Pittsfield townships beginning Tuesday, June 1, the Washtenaw County Road Commission announced. The road commission begins preventative maintenance chip seal projects on Stony Creek Road between Bemis Road and Textile Road in Ypsilanti Township, and on Crane Rd between Textile Rd and US-12 in Pittsfield Township. The chip seal work is done under lane restrictions with a flagging crew at each end of the work area regulating traffic. In Pittsfield Township, the road will reopen at the end of each day and remain open until work resumes the following morning. Once the work is completed, the road commission will advise drivers to lower their speeds to 35 mph while the stone settles.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — Preventative maintenance work will cause lane restrictions on two roads in York Township. The Washtenaw County Road Commission is performing chip seal projects along Platt Road between Willis Road and Bemis Road and Moon Road between Willis Road and Bemis Road beginning Monday, May 24, officials said. The chip seal work is done under lane restrictions with a flagging crew at each end of the work area regulating traffic. Once the work is completed, the Washtenaw County Road Commission is advising drivers to lower their speeds to 35 mph while the stone settles. Road commission officials said they plan to chip seal approximately 100 miles of roadway this construction season.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — Chip seal projects to help maintain pavement will affect motorists traveling on several roads in York and Augusta townships. Chip seal projects will be done on these roads from Monday, May 17, through Thursday, May 21:Willow Road between Platt and Rawsonville roads. Once the work is completed, the Washtenaw County Road Commission is advising drivers to lower their speeds to 35 mph while the stone settles. The road commission will return to these areas in a few weeks to apply a fog seal on top of the chip seal and place permanent pavement markings. Road commission officials said they plan to chip seal approximately 100 miles of roadway this construction season.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — There are dozens of road projects scheduled for the 2021 construction season in Washtenaw County. While some of the construction projects are currently underway, many will begin in May and June. The county will pay for the road projects using a variety of sources, including revenue from federal and state fuel taxes, the county road millage and townships, officials said. The Washtenaw County Road Commission uses a preventative maintenance strategy to select the projects it will take on each year, said Spokeswoman Emily Kizer said. Here are the major county road projects scheduled to begin in 2021.

ANN ARBOR TOWNSHIP — The Washtenaw County Road Commission is encouraging motorists to use an alternate route to avoid delays on N Dixboro Road beginning Monday, March 29. Lane closures due to tree removals are likely to cause delays on Dixboro Road in Ann Arbor Township for approximately one week, according to the road commission. The lane restrictions are due to tree removals near the road, which will be performed by a contractor for the road commission, officials said. These trees are being removed in preparation for phase 2 of the Dixboro Road Non-Motorized Pathway being construction along Dixboro Road this year. READ MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Wingstop to open chicken wing restaurant in Ann ArborFormer state Sen. Mitch Irwin sentenced for domestic violence in Ann ArborChipotle opens new Ann Arbor restaurant with ‘Chipotlane’ drive-thru

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — Bats possibly living beneath it won’t be hurt by reconstruction of a bridge in York Township, Washtenaw County Road Commission officials said. A small section of Dennison Road over the Saline River has been closed to replace the bridge. As part of the EGLE permit for the project, certain construction work cannot take place on the bridge from April 1 to Sept. 30, so potential roosting bats are not disturbed, road commission officials said. The contractor is moving quickly to remove the existing bridge prior to April 1 to be compliant with the EGLE permit, officials said. “The EGLE requirements will be satisfied once the existing bridge is removed and there is no longer a covered location (the bats) would look to roost under,” said Nate Murphy, road commission bridge engineer, said.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — Safety improvements along Wagner Road between Liberty Road and Huron River Drive in Lodi and Scio Townships will cause road closures this summer, the Washtenaw County Road Commission announced. The safety improvements expected to begin in early-summer 2021 include: the replacement of two crossroad culverts on Wagner Road south of Liberty Road in Scio Township; construction of left-turn lanes on Wagner Road at Waters Road in Lodi Township; installation of a flashing beacon at the intersection of Wagner Road and Waters Road; and the installation of centerline corrugations and new pavement markings along the entire section of Wagner Road. The absence of the trees will accommodate proper drainage and a more modern road design, the road commission said. The South Wagner Road and W Waters Road intersection will be closed to all traffic. The Washtenaw County Road Commission will hold a virtual public information meeting on Monday, Feb. 22, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — A single-lane roundabout is scheduled to be constructed at the intersection of Zeeb Road and Liberty Road in Scio Township later this summer, the Washtenaw County Road Commission announced. During the construction, a detour will be posted at the intersection of Zeeb and Liberty, which will be completely closed to traffic. The intersection of Zeeb Road and Liberty Road already has a higher traffic volume than what is recommended for the existing design, according to the road commission. Commissioners believe a roundabout is the ideal solution to help safely handle current and future traffic volumes at this intersection. Washtenaw County Road Commission is hosting a virtual public information meeting about this project on Monday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., via Zoom.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — Construction work on Zeeb Road between Pleasant Lake Road and Ellsworth Road in Lodi Township will close the road to traffic from May to August, the Washtenaw County Road Commission has announced. In 2019, Washtenaw County completed the first phase of Zeeb Road reconstruction between Ellsworth Road and Waters Road. The road commission plans to begin Phase 2 road work in May as road design is underway and permit applications are being prepared, officials said. When reconstruction is completed, the stretch of Zeeb Road will provide a paved connection to Pleasant Lake Road. During construction, Zeeb Road between Pleasant Lake Road and Ellsworth Road will be closed to through traffic and a detour will be posted, the county said.

PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI -- Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes while traveling on Ann Arbor-Saline Road this week. A private company began fiber installation, with the Washtenaw County Road Commission’s approval, on Monday, Jan. 18 and will continue work throughout the week, according to a news release. Traffic between Lohr Road and Oak Valley Drive will be delayed due to lane restrictions. The road commission is inviting residents to a weekly virtual chat to discuss projects and funding with the community. Participants are asked to RSVP online through the road commission’s calendar or by phone at 734-761-1500.

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.

It turned the creek opaque all the way out to Barton Pond, where Ann Arbor draws its drinking water, Baker said, sharing photos of it online. He reported it to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which responded and contacted the Road Commission, halting the discharges. The contractor was just pumping out muddy creek water from the “cofferdam” enclosure where crews were working on the bridge. There was no illegal dumping and there wasn’t any outside material being pumped into the creek, Kizer said. The Road Commission website indicates work on the Miller Road bridge over Honey Creek, west of Wagner Road, will continue into December.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- If anyone needed a hint that winter is not far off, it came with Tuesday morning’s snow showers and slippery roads. Washtenaw County road crews are using the blustery weather of Nov. 17 -- and a reminder of 2019’s 11-inch Veteran’s Day snowstorm -- to seek the public’s help during the winter season. Veteran’s Day snowstorm causes more than 228 crashes in Washtenaw CountyThe Washtenaw County Road Commission is receiving road salt and preparing for the winter by converting dump trucks into snow plows and training drivers to practice snow routes. The road commission is also hiring “Snow Warriors” to help this season. Cayman Chemical expanding footprint with $20M forensics, research facility in Ann Arbor areaLocal Eats: Angelo’s still serves homemade bread after 60-plus years in Ann ArborChocolatier Bon Bon Bon opens Ann Arbor shop in Nickels Arcade

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.