Watersmeet Roadway Commission ~ Draft

Routine Maintenance of all primary and local roads is the responsibility of the Gogebic County Road Commission (GCRC).

This includes downed trees, crack filling, pothole filling, snow plowing, etc.  If you have an issue to report, please contact the GCRC at (906) 667-0233 or visit their contact page at Gogebic County Road Commission Contact Us.

State Roads are the responsibility of the Michigan Department of Transportation - (517) 241-2400 or Contact MDOT (michigan.gov)

Do property taxes pay for the road repair and maintenance?

• Regular property taxes do not in any way pay for any road work.
• The ½ a millage rate increase on your tax bill is for road maintenance only.
• All monies not spent in the working year will roll over to the next year.

Who pays for road repair and maintenance?

• Fuel tax that is charged at the gas pump in Michigan @ 27.2 cents a gal.
• The ½ millage paid on your tax bill is for roads only.
• The ½ millage from individual tax bills is about $87,000

Who also contributes to the road fund?

• Gogebic County Road Commission {GCRC}

How much does the GCRC contribute per year?

• Watersmeet portion per year is 60% GCRC portion is 40%
• Total amount for the year expenditures is about @ $124,000

Is that a lot of money for road repairs?

• Just to add 3-4 in off regular road gravel over old existing blacktop and no other prep work to be done $35,000 per millage.
• Pulverized old blacktop and add 3-4in of gravel, no other prep work $53.000 per mile.
• Just add blue granite [less dust and packs very hard} no prep work $50,600 per mile.
• Pulverizing old blacktop only nothing else added $18,000 per mile.
• HNA millage ground up old blacktop roads spread and rolled $120,000 per mile.
• 2-4in of new blacktop on existing road and add 4” of road gravel and pulverize $400,000 per millage.
• Chip seal one layer thick $20,000 two layers thick $36,000 per millage
• Tree removal medium diameter {2ft} with stump removal and back fill about $1,500 each. Large diameter {3ft plus} up to $5,000 each.
• The prices quoted are from GCRC for the 2022 road work season, projected increase add at least 30% for 2023 season.

Watersmeet Township local road network has a total of 53.4 miles.

• Roads rated from 1-10 with 10 being the best.
  • Good rating 7-10:  2% of the roads = 0.9 miles
  • Fair rating    4-6:  14% of the roads = 7.3 miles
  • Poor rating 1-3:  84% of the roads = 45.2 miles

Not in any order of time frame for work to be completed.

• Millar Road {Add 4 inches gravel} - .3 miles
• Fish Hawk Road {add 4 inches gravel} - 1.3 miles
• Maplewood Road {add 4 inches gravel} - .85 miles
• Dinner Lake Road {chip seal} - 3.85 miles
• Kitty Island Road {add 4 inches gravel} - .45 miles
• Otter Lane {add 4 in. gravel} - .45 miles
• Eagle Drive {add 4 in. gravel} - 1.20 miles
• Sylvan Island Rd. from new blacktop {add 4 inches gravel} - 5.4miles