GCDOT: Sutton Road/ Wildwood MDOT contract, contracted pothole patching and other maintenance items move forward; Leoni IGA fails committee

Jackson County Department of Transportation staff presented a package of maintenance projects, contracts and permit updates. The committee approved an MDOT contract for Sutton Road and Wildwood Avenue, awarded contracted pothole-patching crews for the upcoming season, approved bulk oil and grease purchasing contracts, and received the monthly project report. A proposed intergovernmental agreement with Leoni Township on sign enforcement failed in committee.

MDOT contract 25-5091 (Sutton Road and Wildwood Avenue) GCDOT reported the MDOT contract had an estimated project cost of $496,000 and a local match of $99,000; staff said the local match would be paid from Motor Fuel Tax (MTF) funds. The project limits for Sutton Road are from East Michigan Avenue to Ann Arbor Road; Wildwood Avenue work covers the stretch between Jackson city limits and Lawrence Avenue. Staff said Michigan Paving was the low bidder identified at MDOT’s bid opening. The committee approved forwarding the contract to the full board unanimously.

Contracted pothole patching Staff recommended single-year contracts (with possible one-year extension) for contracted pothole patching to supplement county crews; proposed total for contracted work not to exceed $400,000. Staff said last year the county paid about $120 per hour per crew and that the low bidders for the current solicitation are below that rate. GCDOT said they deployed crews and contractor support to address a large spike in potholes and reported nearly 1,400 tons of patching materials used in March alone as crews prioritized rim-buster-size repairs.

Bulk oil and grease procurement Staff recommended awarding multiple vendors for bulk oil and grease for county garages, not-to-exceed $100,000. A formal solicitation produced multiple low bids; staff recommended awarding based on lowest responsive bidders and material compatibility.

Leoni Township sign IGA (failed) A proposed IGA to allow Leoni Township to assist with sign removal and enforcement in county right-of-way was presented. Several commissioners said they opposed delegating enforcement to a township because of potential selective enforcement—particularly around elections or for businesses—and preferred county-only enforcement for sign removal unless a clear safety concern exists. The committee recorded votes: Commissioner Walls and Commissioner Williams voted yes; Commissioners Duckham, Bair and Kennedy voted no. The motion failed 3–2 in committee; the packet and the failed recommendation will go to the full board with the committee’s negative recommendation.

Monthly report and permits Staff updated the committee on signal modernization work (Badgley and Horton; Airport and Wayland Drive), tree-removal safety project (majority complete; a contractor redirected to storm response up north), curve-signage installation and the lifting of frost laws March 31. Staff reported 87 oversized seasonal permits and 34 right-of-way permits in the period and said crews continue to address a backlog of pothole requests.

Why it matters: Roadway maintenance and MDOT-contracted projects affect travel safety near schools and residential areas and directly involve local funding (MTF) and operational capacity. The failed Leoni Township IGA signals commissioner concerns about delegating enforcement activities to municipalities.

Ending: Road and maintenance items will appear on the full board agenda for contract approval and funding confirmation; staff will follow up on contractor identities and materials compatibility as requested by commissioners.