The Ottawa County Road Commission was established in 1911 by Michigan Legislature to be responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of all county roads and bridges. Additionally, the Road Commission is contracted by the Michigan Department of Transportation to maintain the State highway system in Ottawa County. Learn More about Our History »
Mission
The Ottawa County Road Commission is dedicated to providing roads and bridges that are maintained in a reasonably safe condition for public travel while practicing sound financial management, respect for the environment, and sensitivity to community concerns. This mission is carried out by a skilled hard-working staff.
Organization
The Ottawa County Road Commission is comprised of four major functional areas: Administration, Engineering, Operations, and Public Utilities. Learn More »
Organizational ChartResponsibilities
The Road Commission’s primary responsibility is to provide reasonably safe roads through construction and maintenance activities.
State Law – Public Act 51 – specifically states that cities, villages, County Road Commissions and the Michigan Department of Transportation have jurisdiction over roads. That means those government agencies are responsible for building and maintaining the roads within their jurisdictions. They also carry the legal liability for those roads.
The Road Commission works hard to maintain the roads within our jurisdiction – and although drivers don’t always know who is responsible for the roads they drive on, they can be assured that Road Commission is providing the best service possible.
The Road Commission regularly meets with the townships and Ottawa County to help determine maintenance and construction priorities. Construction and maintenance projects are planned and coordinated with active input from county and township officials and residents.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contracts the Road Commission to maintain the state roads within the county. Although the Road Commission does the work, we operate under the specifications and direction of MDOT.
Services
Services include, but are not limited to:
Road Maintenance & Construction
- Crack sealing
- Ditching & drainage improvements
- Brush & tree removal
- Patching potholes
- Guardrail repair
- Gravel road grading
- Seal coat surfacing
- Shoulder grading & repair
- Asphalt paving
- Snow removal & ice control
Bridge Maintenance & Replacement
Signing & Traffic Control
Engineering
- Design
- Inspection
- Surveying
Planning
Contract Services
Equipment Maintenance & Repairs
Other services include the issuance of permits for all proposed work by private entities, local communities, and public utilities within the county road right-of-way.
What roads and bridges are part of Ottawa County Road Commission’s network?
The Road Commission maintains 1,712 miles of roads and 136 bridge structures within Ottawa County, exclusive of those that fall under the jurisdiction of the State, cities and villages. The OCRC also provides routine and winter maintenance for 521 lane miles of state trunklines under a contractual agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
How do I make a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request?
As a governmental agency, the Road Commission is required to comply with the Public Act 442 of 1976, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
If you are interested in obtaining documents that fall within the requirements of the FOIA, you may submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in writing to the Ottawa County Road Commission, 14110 Lakeshore Drive, Grand Haven, Michigan 49417, Attention: FOIA Coordinator.
Please be advised that upon receipt of a FOIA request, the Road Commission has five business days in which to respond (six business days if received via fax or email), in accordance with the Act, and the requesting party will be charged for research time and copies of any documents requested. If an extension of time is necessary in order to fulfill a FOIA request, the Road Commission will notify the requesting party in writing, at which time an additional ten business days will be permitted to the agency, in accordance with the Act.