Seasonal Road Policy

Placing a Road on the Seasonal Road System

On February 12, 2002 the Board of County Road Commissioners established a seasonal county road system pursuant to Section 5a of Act No. 51 of the Public Acts of 1951 (MCL 247.655a) as amended by Act 184 of 1981.  Seasonal roads are under the Road Commission's jurisdiction and are not open to public travel during the months of November through April and will not be maintained.  When placing a road on the seasonal system, the Board will give consideration for the months of November to April to the volume of motor vehicle traffic that uses the road, buildings along the road used as a principal residences, grade variations, concealed obstructions, road alignment or other topographical features that would effect snow removal equipment that is normally used by the Road Commission for winter maintenance.

Removing a Road from the Seasonal Road System

At such time that a property owner and/or any other agency or organization request to have winter maintenance on a county seasonal road, the Road Commission staff shall review the location and advise the requesting party and the Board the extent of improvements that are required to provide winter maintenance.  The Board will review each road's unique features, physical constraints and the Board's current operating budgets to determine if it is reasonable to expand winter service by taking any seasonal road off the seasonal road system.  Adequate width for two-way traffic, sight distances at hills and curves and an adequate turn-around area for snow removal equipment operation, along with other recommended guidelines and criteria will be used by the Board to determine the removal of a Road from the seasonal road system.