ROAD WORK IS IN FULL SWING
The traffic signal at East Silver Lake Road at "Green Hill" is being modernized. Work will continue thru late August. The South Long Lake Road project is winding down. For full details, click to our News Release page.
Hurray for Mayfield Township! They are partnering with the Road Commission to improve three gravel roads in their township for nearly four miles in length. Bancroft Road is complete and Elliott and Rahe Roads are currently underway. Mayfield is purchasing the gravel and our crews and equipment are being utilized to place the gravel, work into the existing road base, shape up the road and then compact it. A win-win for both agencies and all those who travel these roads.
Paradise Township just agreed to team up with us to have 0.7 mile of Kingsley Road graveled!
PROJECT FUNDING
Federal funds, Stimulus Funds, residual Hartman-Hammond funds and Bureau of Indian Affairs/Grand Traverse Band are the sources of most of our 2010 road projects
However, these funds are designated for specific project activities. They cannot be used to fill potholes, grade roads, cut trees and other day-to-day needs of the Road Commission.
CURRENT BID ITEMS
Details on our bid page for updates.
SERVICE REQUESTS
Report road problems to 231-922-4848 or email us at: gtcrc@gtcrc.org
PrintSignals, Signs and Speed Limits
Silver Lake/Zimmerman Road - State safety funds will be used to upgrade the signal at Silver Lake Road at Zimmermand Road. Garfield Township has been asked to partner financially on this project that will enhance left-turn movements at this intersection. Bids were received in Lansing on February 5, 2010. The project will occur in August.
General Signs - Requests for signs are a daily occurrence at the Road Commission. Any request receives our consideration, but ALL installations within the road right-of-way must adhere to the “Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.” If signs are unreasonable, such as an artificially low speed limit, the general public will ignore them. If we granted all requests for signs without meeting certain conditions (called warrants) as outlined in the manual, there would be overpopulation of signs and motorists would also ignore them. Requests for “Children Playing” signs are a good example. These signs are limited to locations where children are expected to be present, such as school playgrounds and designated parks.
Speed Limit Signs - A common misunderstanding is that the Road Commission has the authority to install speed limit signs at their sole discretion. Before a speed limit can be posted, a joint “speed study” must be conducted with representatives from the Township, Road Commission and Michigan State Police. Radar guns are used to determine what speed 85% of the motorists are driving. The assumption is that the majority of motorists will drive what seems to be a reasonable speed. We have had experiences where citizens asked for a “speed study” with the hope of seeing a reduced posted speed. However, the study resulted in raised speed limit. Residential areas with houses on both sides of the road and in close proximity are deemed to be “prima facie” – meaning a driver should know without a posted sign the reasonal speed limit is 25 MPH. Contact us if you would like a brochure on this topic mailed to you.
Traffic signals must also meet a series of warrants for an installation to be justified. Road Commission staff monitors and collects traffic data to determine when warrants are met.
Some general information - Entrances into subdivisions are provided with a 25 MPH speed limit sign. We do not participate in speed limits on private roads – they are outside our jurisdiction. Unposted, county roads are presently 55 MPH. Recent legislative changes allow for speed limits on gravel roads under certain criterias. Motorists driving on gravel roads must do so with the knowledge that gravel roads are subject to changing conditions and to drive accordingly.
What can a resident do if motorists violate the posted limit? The Road Commission is not an enforcing agency. Typically, if tickets are issued, the message gets out and the speeding is reduced. Experience shows that the majority of tickets issued are to local residents. If neighbors talk to neighbors, some peer pressure can help alleviate the problem.