Frequently Asked Questions
Construction Engineering
- How Can I Find Out What Agency Has Jurisdiction over My Road?
- Will we be able to get in and out of the neighborhood during the road project? What about driveways?
- How do I get a street sign made for our private street?
- What are seasonal weight and speed restrictions?
- What are “All Season” roads?
- Why are you putting “tar and gravel” on our paved road?
- Why is this road being treated when our road looks much worse?
- We pay property tax. Why isn’t that enough to cover fixing our roads?
- How does BCRC decide what projects will be funded?
Employment
Routine Maintenance
- What is BCRC’s policy for mailbox damage?
- My car hit a pothole and incurred damage. How do I get reimbursed?
- If a tree falls in the traveled portion of the roadway, what do I do?
Traffic & Safety
Winter Maintenance
- Can I push the snow from my driveway onto the road?
- How does KCRC respond to a winter storm?
- I’ve seen snowplows driving along during a storm with their plows raised. Why aren’t they plowing?
- Sod on my property was damaged by a snow plow, what do I do?
- What are the limitations of road salt?
- Does BCRC remove dead animals from the road or side of the road?
How can I find…….
Will we be able to get in and out of the neighborhood during the road project? What about driveways?
There will be “open access” to driveways at most times during paving. The exception is during placement of the top course of pavement in front of a driveway. To minimize wheel tracks or damage to the surface, traffic must be restricted during this process, which takes approximately 30-60 minutes.
Yes, residents will have access to the neighborhood.
Because paving is a moving operation, an exact schedule cannot be provided regarding when the crew will be working in front of a specific driveway. However, BCRC and its contractors will work with residents who need access to and from their driveways within the 30-60 minute period of top course paving. When you see the crew nearing your residence, providing them with a “head’s up” of your needs will assist them in helping you exit safely.
How do I get a street sign made for our private street?
To request the production of a street sign for a private street, please call the Sign Shop at 989-686-4610 x234
What are seasonal weight and speed restrictions?
Seasonal weight and speed restrictions are legal limits placed on the loads trucks may carry and the speed at which they can travel. The intent of the restrictions is to protect the integrity of the road when frost is coming out of the ground. Normal legal loads must be reduced by approximately 35% and truck vehicle speeds reduced to 35 mph.
What are “All Season” roads?
“All Season” roads are not subject to weight restrictions, which means that heavy-load trucks may drive on them all year. Non-all-season roads are subject to weight restrictions during the annual thaw period (late winter-early spring) to prevent damage to these roads. (When thawing occurs, ground beneath the roadbed can soften and make the surface susceptible to damage from heavy loads.)
Why are you putting “tar and gravel” on our paved road?
The chip seal treatment is a cost efficient method of pavement preservation that helps prevent water from seeping into and softening the base of the road. This restricts compromising elements like cracks and potholes from forming.
The tar-like substance is actually an emulsion of water and liquid asphalt which penetrates and seals small cracks in the existing pavement. The “gravel” is actually aggregate that sticks to the emulsion and, after rolling and sweeping, provides a skid-resistant surface to improve safety.
As vehicles travel over the newly applied surface, some of the aggregate may come loose under the tires. When a motorist encounters a newly chip sealed road, which will be marked with “Loose Gravel” signs, the best practice is to reduce one’s speed and keep plenty of distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Why is this road being treated when our road looks much worse?
It can be frustrating to see crews working on a road in better condition than nearby deteriorated stretches. There is, however, a reason for this – and it includes saving money over the long-term and extending the service life of our roads. Think of your car. You can wait until the engine fails before taking the car to be fixed, or you can take it in for routine oil changes. With the routine oil changes, your car will not only run smoother, it will likely run longer with less costly repairs. Treatments on roads in good or fair condition work similarly. Rather than waiting several years until the road deteriorates to poor condition, when expensive reconstruction may be necessary, a lower-cost surface treatment can be applied, which will extend the life of the road at a fraction of the cost for structural resurfacing or reconstruction. This practice is call “pavement preservation”. Therefore, KCRC employs a “mix of fixes” philosophy in maintaining the country’s roadway network that combines pavement preservation treatments, resurfacing and reconstruction. In doing so, KCRC can maximize miles in good or fair condition within the constraints of available revenue from the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF).
We pay property tax. Why isn’t that enough to cover fixing our roads?
The property tax you pay is used for your local and county governmental units and schools, not for roads. Instead, the majority of the BCRC budget is funded by the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF), which includes revenue from gas tax and vehicle registration fees.
How does BCRC decide what projects will be funded?
BCRC’s Asset Management Plan outlines a blueprint for maintaining and preserving our road and bridge network. Projects for potential funding are considered based on this plan and in terms of pavement conditions, traffic patterns, public feedback, and how much money is available.
Not all projects are eligible to receive federal aid funds and BCRC must balance the amount of money available with what type of fix is most appropriate for each roadway and bridge.
The local road network is supported by BCRC’s partnership with townships and the matching program, through which BCRC shares approximately 50% of the cost of local road improvement and maintenance projects with the township.
How do I apply or hear of a job opening at BCRC?
BCRC job openings are publicized in local publications and posted to our website and Facebook page.
What is BCRC’s policy for mailbox damage?
Rural mailboxes are permitted to be installed within the Bay County Road Commission right-of-way for the sole purpose of mail delivery by the U.S. Postal Service. The placement of mailboxes in the right-of-way is for the benefit and convenience of local businesses and residents. The Road Commission recognizes its responsibility to the community and thus allows the placement of mailboxes within the right-of-way for the convenience of the public.
Occasionally, the Road Commission, as a result of its daily activities, may accidentally strike, knock down, or damage a mailbox. This most often occurs during snow removal and plowing operations. It is the policy of the Road Commission to assist with the replacement of mailboxes damaged as a result of our maintenance or snow removal operations in the following manner:
1) Upon receipt of a mailbox damage complaint, the Road Commission will verify the damage and determine the Road Commission’s direct involvement in causing such damage. If a mailbox has been damaged as a direct result of our operations, the owner will be given a $30.00 voucher. This voucher allows them to purchase the necessary materials and hardware to repair the damage or purchase a 4” x 4” mailbox post assembly, standard mailbox, and mounting plank in the event the existing mailbox is damaged beyond repair. These vouchers will be redeemable at designated retail outlets.
2) The Road Commission will not be responsible for installing the mailboxes, or any additional costs of replacement materials exceeding the value of the voucher. The Road Commission will, however, continue its policy of reinstalling mailboxes that are deliberately removed or damaged as a result of routine work projects.
3) The Road Commission reserves the right to make exceptions to this policy as becomes appropriate but only in adverse cases. The Engineer-Manager or General Superintendent will determine these exceptions.
Owners wishing to obtain a voucher must contact the Road Commission the day of or the day following the incident. This issued voucher will expire after 30 days.
My car hit a pothole and incurred damage. How do I get reimbursed?
Potholes are an unfortunate consequence of Michigan weather, and BCRC seeks to fix potholes as soon as possible after we are notified.
Under Michigan law, the Bay County Road Commission (BCRC) is not liable for any damages caused by a roadway defect unless: (1) the defect constituted an imperfection that made the roadway not reasonably safe and convenient for public travel; (2) the Road Commission had notice of the defect; and (3) the Road Commission failed to take corrective measures relating to the defect within a reasonable amount of time. This is a three-part requirement. That is to say, each one of these factors must be established for liability to exist on the part of the Road Commission. Therefore, BCRC typically does not reimburse for damage due to a pothole.
If you believe that all three conditions have been met, and the pothole was on a road under Bay County Road Commission jurisdiction, please contact BCRC’s office at 989-686-4610.
If a tree falls in the traveled portion of the roadway, what do I do?
So that it may be addressed as quickly as possible:
- Call the BCRC office at 989-686-4610 during normal business hours
(Mon – Fri, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM) OR call 911 - Afterhours and over the weekend, call 911
- If there is a downed wire, call 911 before contacting Consumers Energy (800-477-5050) and remain at least 25 feet away from the downed wire
- When in doubt, call 911
If the fallen tree is outside the traveled portion of the road and is not causing an emergency issue to the traveling public, you may report it via the Report an Issue online form or call BCRC at 989-686-4610.
People are speeding on our road. How do I get the speed limit lowered?
When a request is received to lower the speed limit on a county road, it is reviewed collaboratively by the township, KCRC and the Michigan State Police. The potential next step includes conducting speed studies, accident analyses, and driving environment surveys. A recommendation is made based on analysis of the data collected and established traffic engineering criteria.
If it is determined that a change should be made to the speed limit, a Traffic Control Order is submitted by the Director of the Michigan State Police for KCRC approval.
The primary basis for establishing a proper, realistic speed limit is the nationally recognized method of using the 85th percentile speed. This is the speed at or below which 85% of the traffic moves. Please note that posting unrealistically low speed limits may create a false sense of security, and studies have shown that the driving environment, not the posted speed limit, is the main influence on motorists’ speeds.
Can I push the snow from my driveway onto the road?
Under Michigan law (section 257.677(a) of the Michigan Vehicle Code), it is ILLEGAL to shovel or plow snow or ice onto any road or highway and the illegal practice is subject to enforcement by local authorities (police or sheriff’s department). From a safety perspective, the practice of depositing snow and ice from one’s driveway onto the public road can create a dangerous hazard for motorists who may slide or lose control after hitting the unanticipated snow pile along their route.
How does BCRC respond to a winter storm?
BCRC clears over 1,036 miles of county roads based on a priority system listed below.
- Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) trunklines/highways
- BCRC Primary roads
- Township Local roads
- Subdivisions.
Long or back-to-back storms may delay BCRC’s response time for clearing township Local and subdivision roadways. Since the BCRC’s priority is the MDOT trunklines and Primary road system, these types of storms require the BCRC to “reset”, continuing to plow and clear MDOT and Primary roads until the storm or back-to-back storms subside.
I’ve seen snowplows driving along during a storm with their plows raised. Why aren’t they plowing?
There are a few possible reasons:
- Plows may be in operation to spread materials, or may be out of materials to spread and headed back to the garage to reload.
- The snowplow driver does not have the responsibility for the road he/she is currently on, and is heading elsewhere. Plow routes are designed to minimize travel in between service areas.
- The road may have been treated with salt or de-icing products and plowing it may remove the mixture before it has an opportunity to work.
Sod on my property was damaged by a snow plow, what do I do?
Despite best efforts, sod along the edge of the road occasionally may be damaged during snow removal activities. In general, KCRC will repair sod damaged by a snow plow or truck. Residents who experience sod damage are asked to contact the Road Commission by phone or email the Road Commission via Report an Issue.
What are the limitations of road salt?
The effectiveness of salt is dependent upon pavement temperature of 15-20°F and above. When the pavement temperature drops below 15°F, the effectiveness of salt is decreased significantly, and KCRC will begin adding other chemicals such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride to the salt to lower the melting point.
Wind conditions also play a role when deciding how to apply salt or other de-icing agents. As temperatures drop and the snow becomes dryer, wind can blow snow across the pavement. If there is a chemical residue left on the pavement from a previous salt application, blowing snow can be attracted to the residue and stick to the pavement. This creates hazardous conditions that would not have existed if no de-icing agents were previously applied.
The effectiveness of salt can also be affected by the type of pavement; salt works better on blacktop pavements than on textured, concrete pavements.
Does BCRC remove dead animals from the road or side of the road?
BCRC and MDOT Roadways
Small carcasses, not posing hazard to travel or located outside the path of vehicular traffic, are to be left where they fell and allowed to decompose naturally.
BCRC Roadways
Large carcasses (deer) in BCRC road right-of-way are to be removed and placed on the surface of the ground elsewhere.
- The roadkill carcass should remain in the BCRC public road right-of-way. However, if the carcass cannot be moved within the BCRC road right-of-way without it causing an odor nuisance issue, the carcass shall be disposed of as outlined in (b.) below. Carcasses shall be removed from residential or commercial yards or locations where an odor nuisance issue is likely.
If the carcass needs to be moved, it shall be placed on BCRC property, currently or previously used for this purpose. The carcass must be at least 1000 feet (1000’) or greater from any residence or business, to prevent an odor nuisance condition. Other BCRC owned locations may be identified and designated in the future.
- If at all possible, the carcasses are to be placed 100 feet (100’) apart or as large a distance as the disposal site allows.
- The carcass cannot contact surface or groundwater (a creek, river, lake, wetland, or ditch), so as to avoid potential contamination.
MDOT Roadways
Large carcasses in MDOT road right-of-way are to be left where they fell unless they pose a hazard to the traveling public. If they pose a hazard;
- The carcass is to be moved out of the path of travel, into the adjacent MDOT right-of-way (shoulder or ditch foreslope).
- If there is insufficient room to place the carcass between the travel lane and the ditch foreslope, it is to be moved to a location on the backslope of the roadside ditch.
- If neither (a.) or (b.) is reasonably possible, the carcass is to be removed and placed per the procedure outlined above under “BCRC Roadways”.