SERVICE REQUESTS

Report road problems to 231-922-4848 or email us at:  gtcrc@gtcrc.org 

WINTER MAINTENANCE

Salt prices have skyrocketed 18% over last year's price.  Nearly 10% of our budget is designated for salt.  How does that affect you?  The GTCRC has typically used a sand-salt mix for snow and ice control, but this year motorists will see more sand.  Salt has melting qualities within a certain temperature range, but sand will provide traction. 

Motorists may see roads cleared, but not necessarily down to pavement.  This will require old-fashioned good driving skills and proper vehicle maintenance, such as driving for conditions (lower speeds) and good tires (with tread and proper inflation).

GTCRC ordered winter salt early and will have a typical year's supply.  But if winter features more snow and ice than normal, more days with early morning black-ice conditions or late day/week-end blasts, service levels will need to be adjusted to make it through the season.

Some long-term employees joined the rank of retirement over the last 18 months. These capable and knowledgeable employees have not been replaced due to declining funding sources.  Our primary funding source has not changed since the mid-90's, provides no inflationery adjustment and is not tied to the fuel costs.  How does this affect you?  The number of miles to be plowed virtually remains the same as development growth has wained.  However, the miles per plow route have increased meaning it will take longer for your road to get plowed.

 

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Signals, Signs and Speed Limits

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Currently, the traffic signal at Hammond and Garfield Roads will be upgraded to include left-turn signals.  The signal is one of the new styles and operates identical to the left-turn lights installed last year at South Airport Road and Veterns Drive.

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.

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.

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.