Ogemaw County Road Commission

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Ogemaw County Road Commission

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The Ogemaw County Road Commission provides a safe, reliable transportation network for the people of Ogemaw County.

We manage public resources with transparency, integrity, and professionalism.

10/27/2026

Road Closure Alert – O'Neil Road (Churchill Township), October 28 & 29 , 2026

O'Neil Road, south of East State Road, will be closed on Wednesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for a culvert replacement.

The closure will be located south of East Brindley Road. Motorists are asked to seek an alternate route and use caution when traveling near the work zone.

Thank you for your patience as crews complete these necessary improvements.

10/27/2026

M-33 Shoulder Paving Project Update, October 27, 2026

Crews continue working on the MDOT M-33 asphalt shoulder paving project between State Road and M-55. Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures and delays.

• Please slow down and stay alert in the work zone.
• Watch for workers, equipment, flaggers, and changing traffic patterns.
• Put distractions away, follow posted signs, and give crews plenty of space to work safely.
• Remember, road workers are only feet away from traffic and everyone deserves to make it home safely.

The Road Commission Manager is also preparing for next week's meeting with Cu***ng Township to review roadway requests and discuss recommendations. These meetings help the township and Road Commission work together to prioritize road improvements, address concerns, and make the best use of available funding for local roads.

Today, Road Commission Manager is meeting with an engineering consultant to discuss a Congressionally Directed Spending request focused on the Peach Lake Road Bridge near Airport Road. Built in 1948, it is the oldest bridge in Ogemaw County and is in need of replacement. Like many local agencies, the Road Commission faces limited transportation funding that must be spread across hundreds of miles of roads and numerous bridges. Pursuing outside funding opportunities is critical for addressing large infrastructure needs that cannot be funded through local revenues alone.

Thank you for being an attentive and responsible driver. Your awareness makes our roads safer for everyone

10/26/2026

🚧 M-33 Asphalt Shoulder Paving Begins Today, October 26, 2026 🚧

Starting today, crews will be paving the asphalt shoulders on M-33 from State Road south to M-55 as part of a collaborative project between the Ogemaw County Road Commission, Iosco County Road Commission, MDOT, and project contractors.

Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures throughout the duration of the project. Work is scheduled daily from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For the safety of both workers and the traveling public, drivers are strongly encouraged to remain alert, use caution when traveling through the work zone, reduce speeds, and follow all directions provided by flaggers and traffic control personnel.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as these improvements are completed.

10/22/2026

Upcoming MDOT Project Collaboration: M-33 Asphalt Shoulder Paving, October 26, 2026

Beginning next week, the Ogemaw County Road Commission, in collaboration with the Iosco County Road Commission, MDOT, and project contractors, will begin asphalt shoulder paving operations on M-33, starting at State Road and proceeding south to M-55.

Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures throughout the duration of the project. Work is scheduled daily from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For the safety of both workers and the traveling public, drivers are strongly encouraged to remain alert, use caution when traveling through the work zone, reduce speeds, and follow all directions provided by flaggers and traffic control personnel. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as these improvements are completed.

10/21/2026

Road Operation Update - October 21, 2026

Crews are out across the county today working on seasonal roads, shoulder maintenance, ditching, and sign repair and replacement. These routine maintenance activities help keep gravel roads in safe condition and ensure drainage systems continue to function properly as we move into fall weather.

We also have two crews continuing work on the Denstedt Road and O’Neil Road township projects. These cost‑sharing improvements with Logan Township and Churchill Township allow us to upgrade road surfaces more efficiently and stretch local dollars further.

The Manager and staff are actively preparing for the 2027 construction season, meeting with townships to plan upcoming projects and coordinate cost‑sharing upgrades. Early planning helps secure materials, schedule contractors, and ensure each township’s priorities are addressed.

The Manager and Superintendent have a scheduled meeting with Ogemaw County Emergency Dispatch to prepare for the upcoming winter season. These coordination meetings ensure that road crews, dispatchers, and emergency responders are aligned on communication, storm response, and resource deployment.

Later today, the Manager will be attending the Northern Exposure – West Branch Airport Crash Exercise, working alongside the Emergency Manager, local agencies, and state authorities. These exercises strengthen mutual assistance, improve response planning, and help all partners practice real‑world scenarios so they can respond quickly and effectively when emergencies occur.

As always, please use caution when traveling near road crews. Your cooperation keeps everyone safe.

10/21/2026

🚧 Join Our Team – Truck Driver/Laborer 🚧

The Ogemaw County Road Commission is seeking a full‑time Truck Driver/Laborer to support our ongoing road maintenance and community service operations. This role provides steady work, strong benefits, and the chance to make a positive impact across Ogemaw County.

Full details and the job description can be found at www.ogemawcrc.org.

Submit your resume or the CDL Application:
• Mail: PO Box 157, West Branch, MI 48661
• Email: [email protected]

10/20/2026

Road Operations Update – October 20, 2026

Crews are active throughout the county today, focusing on shoulder gravel, ditching, shoulder shaping, and county‑wide sign repair and replacement. Work also continues on seasonal roads, which are maintained under Michigan’s Seasonal Road statute (MCL 247.655a). This law allows road commissions to limit maintenance on designated seasonal roads to specific times of the year when conditions are suitable for grading and shaping.

Today, the Manager and Superintendent are meeting with area school districts that were invited to participate in our winter‑readiness discussion: Whittemore‑Prescott Area Schools, West Branch‑Rose City Area Schools, Hale Area Schools, and Charlton Heston Academy. These meetings help ensure school transportation teams understand winter maintenance priorities, plow routes, and communication procedures during storms. Early coordination supports consistent, safe responses when winter weather arrives. Tomorrow, staff will meet with Ogemaw County Dispatch to align emergency communication and response protocols for the season.

The Manager and administrative staff are also preparing for tomorrow’s Board Meeting, which will include discussions on road damage assessments, job description updates, policy revisions, and FEMA grant progress.

As crews work throughout Ogemaw County, please slow down and give employees room to work. Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe.

10/16/2026

Operations Update – October 16, 2026

Crews are out chipping and brushing county‑wide today, working both along the roadway and within travel lanes as needed.

Seasonal Road Work – Foster Township
Two crew members continue working on seasonal roads in Foster Township as seasonal road maintenance is nearing its end.

Administrative & Board Preparation
The Manager and administrative staff are preparing for next week’s Board meeting, finalizing agenda materials, reviewing reports, and ensuring everything is ready for Commission consideration. Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests and High-Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) projects are also being reviewed and considered as part of ongoing planning efforts to maximize local infrastructure improvements.

Please use caution when traveling today, especially when crews are working in the roadway.

10/15/2026

Road Commission Update – Thursday, October 15, 2026

Crews will continue work today on the gravel upgrade projects on O’Neil Road in Churchill Township and Denstedt Road in Logan Township. These improvements are part of our ongoing cost sharing partnerships with the townships.

Chipping operations will continue in Foster and Rose Townships, and crews are also grading seasonal roads in Foster Township.

Seasonal roads receive limited maintenance under Michigan’s Seasonal Road designation, typically up to twice per year, during the window from late spring through early fall. Once this final round of grading is completed, seasonal road maintenance will be finished for the year, as these roads are not maintained during winter months.

County wide sign maintenance and replacement are underway, with a focused effort today on Goodar Township’s regulatory and warning signs to ensure visibility and compliance for motorists.

Today, the Manager and Chair Sheltrown are attending the East Central Council Meeting in West Branch. These meetings bring together road commissions from across the East Central region to coordinate on shared issues such as funding, legislative updates, regional transportation planning, equipment needs, MIOSHA updates, insurance updates, and best practices. They help ensure counties are aligned, informed, and working together to improve road safety and infrastructure across the region.

As always, please use caution when traveling near active work zones. Your patience and attentiveness help keep our crews safe.

10/14/2026

Operations Update – October 14, 2026

Crews are continuing gravel upgrades on Denstedt Road, a cost‑sharing project with Logan Township, and O’Neil Road, a cost‑sharing project with Churchill Township. These partnerships help stretch local dollars further and allow us to improve more road surfaces throughout the county.

Two employees will be patrolling I‑75, M‑30, M‑33, and M‑55 today to remove litter and clear animal hazards from the roadway to keep drivers safe and traffic flowing smoothly.

Yesterday, the Manager, Superintendent, and Supervisor met with MDOT and EGLE to review the I‑75 culvert project and gather direction on the cleanup work required. These meetings ensure that all environmental and state regulatory standards are met before cleanup begins.

Our financial staff is actively working on the 2026 year‑end financial audit and the State audit.
These audits are essential, they verify that public funds are managed responsibly, ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, and help maintain transparency.

We have received 250 tons of MDOT salt at the M‑33 location and expect deliveries of both State I‑75 MDOT salt and County salt within the next couple of weeks

Staff are also preparing for the forecasted high winds and rain this Friday. This includes checking equipment, monitoring trees in vulnerable areas, and ensuring crews are ready to respond if roads become blocked or conditions change quickly.

As always, please slow down and use caution when driving near crews. Your attentiveness keeps everyone safe.

Address

1250 M-33
West Branch, MI
48661

Website

http://www.ogemawcrc.org/

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