Why one road gets repaired before another in Washtenaw County often comes down to a combination of road condition, safety concerns and available funding.
Officials with the Washtenaw County Road Commission explained how those decisions are made during a recent online “Road Chat,” where residents can ask questions about road projects and maintenance.
How Roads Are Funded
One of the biggest misconceptions, officials said, is how road repairs are funded.
“Unless you have a local millage, your property taxes do not pay for the roads,” said Matt McDonald, managing director of the Washtenaw County Road Commission.
Most road funding instead comes from state and federal transportation sources.
About half of Michigan road funding comes from fuel taxes, with additional revenue from vehicle registration fees and other state funding sources.
Drivers currently pay about 52.4 cents per gallon in Michigan gas tax, along with 18.4 cents per gallon in federal gas tax, both of which help fund road and transportation projects.
Locally, Washtenaw County voters approved a countywide road millage, though that funding represents only a small portion of the road commission’s overall budget.
The half-mill millage generates roughly $5 million annually, while the agency’s annual expenditures approach $100 million, McDonald said.
The Washtenaw County Road Commission maintains about 1,650 miles of roads outside city and village limits across the county.
How roads are prioritized
When deciding which roads to repair, the road commission uses an asset-management approach that focuses on road condition and long-term cost efficiency.
Roads are rated using a condition scale from 1 to 10, based on pavement condition. Primary roads are evaluated annually, while local paved roads are rated every other year.
Officials say the goal is to repair roads before they reach the worst condition.
“What you want to do is invest before it becomes a poor road,” McDonald said, comparing the strategy to maintaining a car.
“You want to do the oil changes so you don’t have to do an engine replacement.”
Waiting until roads are in the worst condition can increase costs significantly.
“If you stop doing preventative maintenance or catching it before it becomes a big problem, it’s going to cost you more in the long run,” McDonald said.
The road commission also pursues federal and state grants for specific projects. Those funds are often designated for particular purposes, such as bridge repairs or intersection safety improvements.
“We got this money specifically to solve this problem because of this grant,” McDonald said.
Safety and planning
Safety improvements also play a role in project planning.
For example, the road commission is constructing several roundabouts using grant funding aimed at improving traffic safety and reducing emissions.
Officials say roundabouts can reduce severe crashes by slowing traffic and eliminating dangerous right-angle collisions.
Reporting road problems
Residents who notice potholes, drainage issues or other road concerns can report them through the road commission’s website, the WCRC Fix It mobile app or by calling the agency directly.
Officials say those reports help crews respond more quickly and identify issues across the county’s road network.
Featured image: A pothole fills with water on a residential street in Washtenaw County. Photo by Heather Finch
8123 Main St Suite 200 Dexter, MI 48130
