The Lenawee County Road Commission will remove large animal remains from the road, such as those from deer. Our crews will move remains far enough off the road to keep the roads safe for travel. If you spot a large animal on LCRC-maintained roads, please contact us at (517) 265-6971. The LCRC does not have the resources to properly dispose of animal remains on the road. 

The primary cause of potholes is due to the freezing and thawing cycle. When moisture seeps into cracks in the road and freezes, it creates gaps underneath the surface. After thawing, these gaps become too weak to support the weight of passing vehicles and collapse.

This is why the spring season sees an increase in the number of potholes.

Our crews clean the pothole of any loose material and patch it using a cold asphalt patch. LCRC regularly inspects roads for potholes and responds to service request. However, potholes can form at any time on any paved road. While our crews work diligently to patch potholes, new potholes appear.  If you see a pothole, please report it by calling 517-265-6971.

LCRC determines the need for guardrails based on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Roadside Design Guide. 

LCRC restricts passing on roads that are determined to be unsafe for passing based on guidelines set forth by the MMUTCD.

LCRC will review requests for No Passing Zones on a case-by-case basis.

Speed limits on Michigan roads are governed by state law. LCRC abides by state law and policies to determine the safest speeds for a county road.  Requests for speed limit reductions can be made to the LCRC and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Speed limit reductions require several months and investigation. They may or may not result in a change.

The Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MMUTCD, provides standardized guidelines for all traffic signs throughout Michigan. The LCRC applies these guidelines when inspecting and evaluating locations.

The goal is to clear roads as efficiently as possible to keep them reasonable safe for public travel. County paved roads are cleared first. Crews then begin clearing subdivisions and gravel roads in the LCRC’s jurisdiction.

The LCRC cannot provide timelines for roads to be plowed as it varies based on the snowfall for any given day. During heavy snowfall (4 or more inches of snow) or repeating snowstorms, the LCRC may take several days before it can clear all the roads. 

The LCRC is responsible for clearing snow from public roads. Our crews make every reasonable effort to avoid pushing snow onto driveways, but in many cases it is unavoidable. Property owners are responsible for clearing their own driveways. Occupants can clear snow away from the area at the base of their driveway to minimize the snow thrown from the sides of LCRC snowplows. Shovel snow in the same direction as passing traffic to avoid piling snow up where a snowplow will catch it and push it back onto your driveway.

If your mailbox was struck directly by an LCRC snowplow, we will repair it or replace it with a standard mailbox and post. Please contact our office to report your damaged mailbox.

If your mailbox was knocked down by the force of flying snow coming off a plow, the LCRC is not responsible. Towards the end of fall, we recommend testing your mailbox to ensure the post is secure and stable.

The LCRC waits until the roads have snow accumulated on them before beginning salt spreading operations. Road salt performs best when it can immediately mix with the moisture in snow to melt it. This allows snow plowing crews to clear more snow from the surface.

Spreading salt on dry roads is an ineffective way to prepare for snow. Much of the salt will bounce off the roads, and the salt that remains can be blown away by wind.

If snow is expected, crews may be sent to spray liquid chloride on the roads. Liquid chloride helps treat the roads prior to the snow accumulating. Liquid chloride does not create ice hazards and helps prevent ice from forming on the roads.

The operator of a vehicle shall not follow a snowplow more closely than 200 feet unless the operator of the vehicle is legally overtaking or passing a snowplow.

The operator of a vehicle who approaches a snowplow from the rear that is stopped at or in an intersection shall stop not less than 20 feet from the snowplow.

Snowplows can extend several feet from the vehicle and are often hidden under piles of snow being cleared. 

The LCRC can only clear public roads in its jurisdiction, outside of village and city limits. Private driveways and lots are the responsibility of the property owner or occupant. 

Maintenance for unpaved roads happens throughout the year. However, due to the difficulties associated with freezing temperatures or heavy rainfall, most unpaved road maintenance is planned during the late spring through late fall.

What types of maintenance is the LCRC responsible for on unpaved roads?

As weather permits, the LCRC will work on the following maintenance tasks for unpaved roads:

• Grading 
• Patching
• Dust Control
• Drainage

The LCRC cannot provide exact schedules for grading and unpaved road maintenance. This is primarily due to the limitations imposed by day-to-day weather forecasts. Grading when the roads conditions are too wet or too dry can cause issues like damage or dust hazards.

The LCRC sprays mineral well brine on all county roads each season to help stabilize unpaved roads. The expected schedule for gravel road stabilization is between May through August.

These are not dust control operations but do help reduce dust issues. The primary goal of gravel road stabilization is to reduce the need for scraping or gravel replacement.