To ensure public inquiries related to commonly asked questions are addressed in a timely, effective and efficient manner, below is information from the Department of Roads related to commonly asked questions and requests from the public. These responses are meant to provide accurate information related to roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure under Macomb County jurisdiction and services provided by MCDR.
How do I know if a street is maintained by Macomb County?
There are more than 4,400 miles of roads in Macomb County, including state, county, local, and residential and subdivision roads. To view road jurisdictions in Macomb County, click on the SEMCOG road jurisdiction map below.
Who is responsible for my residential or subdivision road?
For residential or subdivision roads located within a city or village, the road is under that municipalities jurisdiction. For residential or subdivision roads within a township, the road is under Macomb County jurisdiction.
How can I request maintenance for my residential or subdivision road?
If the road is located within a city or village, please contact your local unit of government. For roads within a township, service requests for road maintenance are generated at the request of the public and local government agencies throughout Macomb County. Service requests are forwarded to the appropriate MCDR Service Center so that a crew may be dispatched to review the maintenance request and make appropriate repairs as needed.
If you're contacting MCDR regarding an emergency road condition or immediate safety concern, please call 586-463-8671.
How do I get my residential or subdivision road reconstructed?
While regular maintenance is conducted on residential and subdivision roads, there are many that have far exceeded their expected road life. Work outside of general maintenance activities, would require local community or resident participation in funding a project that would provide comprehensive, long-term repairs. Unfortunately, current road funding is not adequate to meet all construction needs throughout Macomb County, especially for residential and subdivision streets.
The Department of Roads receives its funding from the gas and weight taxes collected by the State of Michigan and no portion of property taxes goes to MCDR. Based on State Law (Public Act 51 and Public Act 246), road agencies are required to obtain, at a minimum, matching funds from townships or other sources for paving or reconstruction of residential or subdivision roads under their jurisdiction.
In an effort to provide assistance to local communities for subdivision roads, MCDR offers the Subdivision Reconstruction program. It is an application-based cost sharing program with MCDR covering half of project costs up to $500,000. MCDR works closely with townships to identify and prioritize roads that may qualify for the program. A reconstruction project for your road could be submitted for consideration by the township for a future construction season.
If you are interested in exploring the Subdivision Reconstruction program further, please contact your local township office. Townships in Macomb County are familiar with the Subdivision Reconstruction program and are experienced with these types of projects.
Can I be reimbursed for damage to my car due to a pothole or other road defect?
A damage claim investigation includes a review to determine whether the road has been maintained in reasonable repair and whether the Department of Roads knew, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence, should have known of the existence of the claimed defect. and had a reasonable time to repair the defect before the damage took place. In accordance with state laws, if the road has been maintained in reasonable repair, or if insufficient notice of the defect existed, MCDR is not liable for damages incurred.
There are two Michigan laws (MCL 691.1402 and MCL 691.1403) that provide governmental immunity for defective highways in certain cases.
To file a damage claim, complete a Damage Claim form. Please provide all details of the incident, including exact location, date and time, and damage incurred. All claims must be submitted in writing and are subject to a full investigation in cooperation with our legal, maintenance, and traffic departments. The investigation can take up to 14 business days.
If you have further questions related to damage claims, please contact the Administration Department at 586-463-8671 or geninfo@rcmcweb.org.
If the incident occurred on a state trunkline (roads with I, M or U.S. such as I-696, I-94, M-59, and M-3, contact MDOT at 586-421-3920 or michigan.gov/mdot.
How can I get copies of certain documents from the Department of Roads?
The Department of Roads is a public entity and records are available to the public as outlined in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Who do I contact if a street light is out?
The Department of Roads does not maintain street lights. Residents should contact the appropriate city, village, or township office to report a street lighting issue. To report a power outage, downed power line, or outdoor light problem, contact DTE Energy at 800-548-4655 or complete the form below.
How do I know if a road is supposed to be maintained by Macomb County or not?
There are more than 4,400 miles of roads in Macomb County, including state, county, local, and residential and subdivision roads. To view road jurisdictions in Macomb County, click on the SEMCOG road jurisdiction map below.
How can I request maintenance on a Macomb County road?
Service requests for road maintenance are generated at the request of the public and local government agencies throughout Macomb County. Service requests are forwarded to the appropriate MCDR Service Center so that a crew may be dispatched to review the maintenance request and make appropriate repairs as needed.
If you're contacting MCDR regarding an emergency road condition or immediate safety concern, please call 586-463-8671.
How can I get my gravel road graded?
Department of Roads maintenance crews perform work throughout the year to keep our gravel roads in good condition. MCDR maintains approximately 335 miles of gravel roads throughout Macomb County. Gravel roads are graded and treated on an as-needed, weather-permitting basis. The gravel road program typically begins once weather allows for proper brining and grading. Once the temperatures stay above freezing, Department of Roads crews are able to perform more long-term solutions.
In an effort to provide additional assistance to townships, MCDR offers an annual gravel road program. The Department of Roads covers 90% of the material costs and all labor costs and townships cover the remaining 10% of material costs. As part of this program, townships select which roads they would like to be graded with two to three miles of limestone applied to gravel roads in each participating township annually.
To submit a maintenance request for a gravel road, complete a service request. Service requests are forwarded to the appropriate Service Center so that a crew may be dispatched to review the maintenance request and make appropriate repairs as needed.
How can I get brine applied to my gravel road?
The Department of Roads is responsible for two applications of brine on each gravel road per year. The gravel road program typically begins once weather allows for proper brining. Additional applications must be requested by the township, which shares in the cost of this maintenance. If you feel your gravel road is in need of additional brine after completion of the initial application, please contact your township office and MCDR’s Maintenance Department.
How can I get my gravel road paved?
Most gravel roads located within townships are considered local roads. The cost for paving local roads is shared between the township (60%) and the Department of Roads (40%). MCDR works closely with local community leaders to identify and prioritize transportation infrastructure improvement projects, including planning and budgeting for road projects. Since the township is responsible for a portion of the costs, the local municipality must initiate a request to pave a gravel road.
How long does it take to plow the roads after it snows?
Michigan’s unpredictable weather impacts our roads, residents, and community. Road safety and winter readiness are top priorities for Macomb County. During winter months, snow removal is performed on a priority basis. All state and primary roads must be clear and safe for the motoring public before the Department of Roads can begin snow removal on local and subdivision roads. Please remember that MCDR does not receive any funding from local property taxes for road maintenance and that the amount of your property taxes does not affect the plowing and salting schedules.
Why do snow plows push snow back into my driveway after I shovel?
Unfortunately, this is one of the hazards of our Michigan winters. In order to plow the thousands of miles of roads in Macomb County, the Department of Roads trucks cannot stop their routes to manually clear a resident's driveway. Snow plow drivers do not have time to direct the plowed snow away from every driveway due to time constraints and the responsibility to keep public roads clear.
A snow plow knocked down my mailbox, can it be replaced?
To prevent damage from snow thrown by passing plow trucks, residents are encouraged to prepare mailboxes for winter by tightening screws and ensuring the post and mailbox are secure enough to withstand large amounts of thrown snow. MCDR encourages residents to check the location, stability and durability of their mailboxes.
When a mailbox is knocked down, it is often caused by plowed snow rather than being struck by the snow plow. Mailbox damage caused by snow being pushed to the side of the road is the homeowner’s responsibility to repair. There are state laws in place that provide governmental immunity for road agencies for incidents such as this while maintaining our roads. If you believe a snow plow made direct contact with your mailbox, please contact the Department of Roads at 586-463-8671 or geninfo@rcmcweb.org.
How can I get a dead animal removed from the side of the road?
The Department of Roads does not remove or dispose of dead animals on the roadway. When MCDR is informed of a dead animal on the road, the Maintenance Department will dispatch an employee or crew to remove it from the roadway to the shoulder area as a safety precaution for motorists. For dead animals at the side of the road, please contact Macomb County Animal Control at 586-469-5115 or animalcontrol@macombgov.org to remove and dispose of the animal.
How do I apply for a permit through the Department of Roads?
To apply for a permit, review MCDR’s permit requirements and fees and visit the Permits Department page to submit a permit application. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the Permits Department at 586-463-8671 or info-permits@rcmcweb.org.
Do I need a permit to put in a new driveway?
Any time a homeowner or contractor is working within the Macomb County right of way, a permit is required from the Department of Roads and in some cases, a general liability insurance policy that lists the Department of Roads as an additional insured. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the Permits Department at 586-463-8671 or info-permits@rcmcweb.org.
Do I need permission to place landscaping in front of my house near the road?
If trees, flower beds, landscaping, or irrigation systems are placed too close to the road edge or within the right of way, they can be a safety hazard and a potential liability for property owners, utility companies, and the Department of Roads. Items placed within the right of way area may be subject to damage or removal by MCDR or utility companies. Before putting any items in this area, please contact the Department of Roads to verify the right of way width.
To avoid unwanted damage, please have landscaping and sprinklers moved prior to construction. MCDR is not responsible for and will not replace sprinklers or any landscape items moved or damaged within the ROW during maintenance, construction, or rehabilitation activities.
If you have further questions related to landscaping within Macomb County right of way, please contact the Permits Department at 586-463-8671 or info-permits@rcmcweb.org.
Is there any way to get the speed limit changed on my road?
Speed limits provide motorists, law enforcement, and traffic courts with information on reasonable and safe speeds that facilitate the safe, orderly flow of traffic under normal conditions. Speed limits are established by state law and traffic engineering studies, which analyze road conditions, crash history, and prevailing speeds along the road.
Although the public is encouraged to notify public officials with what they perceive to be speeding concerns, speed limits are not set based on casual observations or uninformed opinions. In order to change a speed limit, a speed limit study would need to be performed by MCDR, MSP, and the local authority (city, village, or township) as required by state law. The speed limit study must be requested by the local community with official correspondence.
Please note, reducing speed limits does not necessarily improve safety or reduce speeds. The findings of speed limit studies are binding, regardless of outcome.
If you have further questions related to speed limits in Macomb County, please contact the Department of Roads at drtraffic@rcmcweb.org or 586-463-8671.
I think we need a stop sign placed in our subdivision. How do I request a stop sign?
Stop signs help drivers and pedestrians at intersections determine who has the right of way.
The Department of Roads follows well-established and nationally recognized guidelines to determine when and where stop signs are necessary. These guidelines identify specific traffic and pedestrian volume thresholds, incident history, sight distance, and any unusual conditions that may exist at an intersection.
To determine if a stop sign is needed, a traffic study would need to be performed by MCDR.
How do I request a traffic signal?
When used properly, traffic signals facilitate safe, convenient, and efficient travel by reducing certain types of crashes and minimizing unnecessary delays to users.
The Department of Roads follows well-established and nationally recognized guidelines to determine when and where traffic signals are necessary. These guidelines identify specific traffic and pedestrian volume thresholds, incident history, sight distance, and any unusual conditions that may exist at an intersection.
To determine if a traffic signal is needed, a traffic study must be completed by MCDR. If a traffic study shows that a traffic signal is justified, traffic engineers complete multiple tasks to allow for the proper planning, design, and installation of traffic signal equipment.
Please note, in order for intersections to operate properly, many new traffic signals require other physical changes to be made to the intersection, including new traffic signs and pavement markings.
Traffic signals in Macomb County
Who determines how to close lanes and detour traffic while working on our roads?
During maintenance and construction projects, there are strict guidelines set by MDOT related to necessary signage, lane closures, speed limits, number of trucks, and other requirements. These guidelines are put into place to protect road workers, the motoring public, and all road users.