Why Metro Detroit subdivision roads are so expensive to fix; and what it takes to get yours repaved

Older subdivisions in Metro Detroit, such as Oregon Boulevard, face significant delays in road resurfacing due to high costs and limited funding. The Road Commission for Oakland County receives insufficient state road funding of about $11,000 per year per subdivision, while reconstructing just one mile of road costs approximately $1 million. Without mandatory property taxes for local road maintenance or the power to levy taxes, the commission relies on Special Assessment Districts (SADs) where residents must petition and fund road projects. Despite past petitions, Oregon Boulevard remains unfixed due to the financial burden on homeowners, with many township roads similarly awaiting repair through SADs amidst a $500 million countywide shortfall.