Winter Road Maintenance
Why isn't my road plowed right away after it snows?
During the winter months the Road Commission, working in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation, has a night patrol to ensure road conditions are monitored and crews dispatched as needed. Snow removal is performed on a priority basis. The approximate 110 miles of State Trunkline are plowed first, followed by 180 miles of County primary roads and 525 miles of local paved roads and local gravel roads.
Two big challenges for a road agency are a heavy snow storm that starts just before rush hour and a storm that continues for several days without letting up. In the first case, traffic slows to a crawl and the trucks can only move with traffic. In the second case, the trucks must stay out on the main roads to keep them open for emergency vehicles and are delayed getting into subdivisions and gravel roads. Salt is not effective on gravel roads, so it is used primarily on paved roads, and sand is used on the gravel roads. Please note that salt begins to lose its efficacy on paved roads when the temperature drops below 20 degrees.
The Crawford County Road Commission does not have a “bare road” policy. We maintain over 815 miles of county and state roads. Unpredictable weather conditions and limited financial resources make it impossible to maintain a bare road policy, our goal is to provide the best possible service for all of the traveling public in Crawford County. We encourage you to drive defensively and at speeds in accordance with road conditions.
Why don't you split the shift of employees in the winter months to take care of subdivisions and local roads on weekends?
Split shifts would still only allow maintenance without paying overtime for 40 hours per week, whether those hours are Monday - Friday or Wednesday - Sunday. The Crawford County Road Commission has downsized to the point that spreading our drivers even thinner would not allow us to continue the current level of winter maintenance on every road after a snowfall. The only way to increase service to local roads and subdivisions would be to increase staff and/or pay more overtime. Unfortunately, neither option is viable at this time.
After I cleared my driveway a Road Commission truck pushed all the snow back into my driveway - why won't you come clean it back out?
Be sure to place snow to the right of your driveway as you face the road so plows will push it away from, rather than back into, the driveway entrance. That said, a reasonable amount of snow will always find it’s way back into your driveway. As the plow comes through, some snow will accumulate on the plow blade and deposit into the first open space that comes along. More often than not that space is a driveway. In the instance that your driveway is re-packed with snow we will not re-plow your driveway as this is a seasonal hazard that is impossible to completely avoid.
Why can't I plow the snow from my driveay accross or onto the road for the Road Commission to clean up?
According to the Michigan Vehicle Code it is illegal to deposit snow, slush, or ice on any roadway or highway. This snow, slush and ice can harden and result in damage to the our snow removal equipment and creates a safety hazzard for the general public.
Your plow knocked down/destroyed my mailbox how/when are you going to fix it?
One of the major problems each year is damage to mailboxes. Most mailbox damage occurs when heavy, wet snow is thrown against a weakened post or box.. The Road commission cannot assume responsibility for such damage. Your mailbox is on the road right-of-way and is permitted by the Road Commission as a convenience to you.
By law, the Crawford County Road Commission has no legal responsibility to replace/repair your mailbox and/or post. However it has been our policy to offer a standard aluminum USPS approved mailbox upon request when a damaged box is brought to our office for exchange. We do not replace posts at any time , nor do we install the replacement box for you. If the mailbox or post is damaged, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to replace them. Please keep your mailbox and post in good condition and located behind the curb or beyond the shoulder, where it is less likely to be damaged. Click Here for instructions on proper mailbox installation.
Why are weight restrictions placed on County roads each Spring? What are they and when do they go into effect?
Weight restrictions are legal limits placed on the loads trucks may carry. During late winter and early spring, when seasonal thawing occurs, the maximum allowable axle load and speed is reduced to prevent weather-related breakup of roads. Limits go into effect normally Mid-February to May, depending upon the weather. You can also visit CRAM’s website.
What are "all season" roads?
“All Season” roads are those that have been designed and built with additional strength and durability to withstand truck traffic loads all year long, and thus they are not subject to the reduced loading restrictions that are placed on most roads during the early spring in Michigan. Click Here for a list of Crawford County’s Class “A” roads.
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