May 2023 | Volume 13 | Issue 5 | 

Important Dates

May 4, 2023 | 9 a.m. | Board Meeting

May 18, 2023 | 9 a.m. | Board Meeting

May 26 & 29 | Office Closed (Memorial Day)

View Meeting Minutes & Agendas

Need to report an issue?

Have a pothole or other roadside issue to report?

Use our online service request reporting tool!

Requests can also be submitted by email or by calling 616-842-5400.

Signal upgrades installed at 48th Ave./Port Sheldon St.

The Road Commission recently completed traffic signal upgrades at the intersection of 48th Avenue and Port Sheldon Street in Georgetown Township.

The upgrades, installed on April 19, include the installation of left-turn signals in all directions and a traffic detection system for all intersection approaches.

The modifications are the result of a recent traffic survey report approved by the Board of Road Commissioners in fall 2022. The report noted that traffic crash history, traffic counts and left-turn delays as evidence for installing the intersection upgrades.

2025-50 Long-Range Road Improvement Plan Available

The Ottawa County Road Commission has released its 2025-2050 Long-Range Road Improvement Plan list. The list includes, but is not limited to, a pool of potential projects. As funding resources become available, the projects will then be considered through the Road Commission's annual Strategic Improvement Plan process. The project list is broken down by the respective Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) areas within Ottawa County. These MPO areas include: Grand Valley Metropolitan Council Area (GVMC) Mactawa Area Coordinating Council Area (MACC) West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission Area (WestPlan) This document, along with the Road Commission's annual Strategic Improvement Plan, is available on the "Planning & Reports" section of our website.

The cost to clean up dead deer on the road

The responsibility for picking up and disposing of dead animals, especially deer, has been a long-running debate around Michigan.

Surprisingly, there is no statutory requirement for any agency in Michigan to perform this service. Animal control authorities and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have both stated they have no authority on the issue.

Over the years, the Ottawa County Road Commission has picked up and disposed of dead deer as a courtesy service for the public. This pickup service is limited to one day per week, with only dead deer being picked up from the road right-of-way.

The deer/refuse removal is a cost that can quickly add up. Costs in 2022 for this work totaled $30,785.80. Thus far in 2023, costs are roughly $15,346.16.

To inquire about dead deer disposal, please contact our office at (616) 842-5400 or utilize our online service request form.

How are road projects determined?

Warmer weather means the arrival of road construction season again here in Ottawa County. We are often asked how we determine what, and when, certain roads are repaired. The Ottawa County Road Commission (OCRC) continuously evaluates road conditions to identify replacement, repair, and maintenance items on an ongoing basis. Our project lists are developed with priorities based on the evaluation of data such as: Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating (PASER) Road Ratings Traffic Volumes Capacity and Congestion Issues Accident History Maintenance Problems Funding Sources Every year the OCRC gathers input from local governmental officials, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), and the general public to determine improvement needs and develop a 5-year Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP). Improvement needs not included in the SIP are typically addressed through the recurring, day-to-day maintenance activities by the OCRC. Since 100% of the costs associated with resurfacing or other surface treatments applied to Subdivision Streets have been paid by the Townships and/or residents, the townships determine which Subdivision Streets are selected for surface treatments.