RCOC ASKS FOR POTHOLE PATCHING PATIENCE ON TOWNSHIP SUBDIVISION ROADS
Beverly Hills, MI — Facing a high number of subdivision-street pothole-patching requests, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is seeking patience from residents living along these roads as it works to keep up with the demand.
RCOC has jurisdiction over nearly 1,300 miles of subdivision roads located in townships throughout Oakland County. Many of those roads have exceeded their design life and are in poor condition.
RCOC crews are actively patching roads across Oakland County. However, safety concerns dictate that the roads carrying the most traffic moving at the highest speeds be addressed first. Those include the state highways (“I”, “M”, and “US” routes, such as I-75, M-59, I-696, I-275, M-5, M-1/Woodward Avenue, US-24/Telegraph Road, etc.), which RCOC maintains on behalf of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and primary roads, such as “mile” roads and major north/south roads. Subdivision roads, which carry far less traffic, moving at much slower speeds, are a lower priority.
At this time, due to the high demand, it is impossible to provide a specific time frame for when individual subdivision streets will be patched. However, crews are working extended shifts to patch subdivision roads across the county as conditions allow.
Residents living along subdivision roads that are in poor condition and need to be rebuilt are encouraged to visit the “Subdivision Paving” page on RCOC’s website: https://www.rcocweb.org/354/Subdivision-Paving-Special-Assessment-Di.
Additionally, RCOC is currently hiring summer seasonal workers to assist with road maintenance activities, such as pothole patching. Information on the available summer seasonal positions can be found at https://www.rcocweb.org/387/Current-Job-Openings.
“RCOC has all available staff and equipment addressing seasonal road conditions,” RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar said.
“Unfortunately, many of the subdivision roads are in poor condition. RCOC estimates the cost to rebuild these roads is at least $500 million (or $1 million per mile). However, we receive only about $3,500 in funding per mile of subdivision road annually. That amount of funding barely covers pothole patching, winter maintenance, drainage repairs, sign replacements and the other routine maintenance needed,” he added.
Kolar also pointed out that the Road Commission does not receive any revenue from property taxes. Rather the agency is funded through state fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees and state income tax revenues.
To report potholes or road issues, residents are encouraged to contact RCOC through the following methods:
- Online at www.rcocweb.org. Click on “Report an Issue”
- By telephone at 877-858-4808 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. excluding holidays)
- Via e-mail at dcsmail@rcoc.org