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1. What is a road improvement or road repair?

A road improvement is a major road refurbishment such as repaving or conversion of gravel roads. 

Road repair, on the other hand, is regular maintenance of road defects such as pothole filler, gravel road grading, crack sealer, shoulder work, etc.

2. Why does the Township not repave my road?

The Township does not own the roads nor does it receive any dedicated tax money for road repairs and improvements. In fact, very few townships in Michigan own any roads. A majority of the roads including subdivision roads, by state law, fall under the ownership and jurisdiction of the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC).  The RCOC receives a percentage of fuel tax and registration fee money collected by the State of Michigan to maintain and improve these roads. However, the RCOC’s allocation is not adequate to maintain and improve the entire 2,700-mile road system under its jurisdiction throughout Oakland County, and residential streets do not qualify for a portion of the limited construction funds.

 

3. How can I get my road improved?

For local and subdivision roads under the jurisdiction of the RCOC, record owners can petition the RCOC to create a Special Assessment District (SAD) to fund a road improvement. The process is initiated by property owners securing support through the circulation of a petition to abutting property owners on the road they wish to have improved. For detailed information regarding this process, please visit the RCOC website dedicated to this topic at: http://www.rcocweb.org/354/Subdivision-Paving-Special-Assessment-Di

4. How do I request contributions from the $1 million Waterford Township has set aside?

Residents who take on the SAD process with the RCOC  (see above) may formally request up to 10% funding contribution from the Waterford Township Board of Trustees once they have received preliminary construction plans and cost estimates from the Road Commission. Your very first step should be to visit the RCOC website listed above or call 248-645-2000 x 2270.

5. Where did the $1 million SAD contribution funding come from?

Waterford Township received a one-time allocation of $9.2 million in federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act. From this funding, the Board of Trustees allocated $1 million to assist residents who wish to have their roads repaved through the SAD process. This is a unique and limited program that will only be available until funds have been depleted, or the time period in which they can be spent expires.