County roads connect Michigan’s communities, businesses, farms, schools, and recreational destinations. From the forests of the Upper Peninsula and the shores of the Great Lakes to rural farmland and urban communities, county roads are an essential part of Michigan’s transportation system.

Michigan’s county road agencies manage approximately 90,500 miles of roads and 5,900 bridges. Local road professionals work year-round to keep these roads safe and reliable through snow and ice control, gravel-road maintenance, road and bridge repairs, drainage improvements, roadside maintenance, and other essential services.

Learn more about Michigan’s county road agencies through the County Road Association of Michigan.

What Is a County Road System?

Michigan’s county road system was established under Public Act 283 of 1909. County road agencies are responsible for providing safe, efficient, and reliable roads and bridges throughout the state.

The Bay County Road Commission is a legally separate public agency responsible for the county primary and local road system within Bay County. The Road Commission works closely with townships, municipalities, the Michigan Department of Transportation, contractors, utility companies, and residents when planning and maintaining the transportation system.

Across Michigan, county road agencies are responsible for approximately 90,500 miles of roads and 5,900 bridges.

Board of Road Commissioners

The Bay County Road Commission is governed by a three-member Board of Road Commissioners elected by Bay County voters. Commissioners serve staggered six-year terms.

The Board establishes policies, approves budgets and contracts, and provides overall direction for the Road Commission. Regular Board meetings are open to the public, and meeting dates, agendas, and minutes are available on our website.

What Does the Road Commission Do?

The Bay County Road Commission’s responsibilities include:

  • Maintaining paved and gravel county roads

  • Constructing and repairing roads and bridges

  • Performing snow and ice control

  • Grading gravel roads and maintaining shoulders

  • Applying pavement-preservation treatments

  • Maintaining traffic signs and pavement markings

  • Maintaining roadside ditches, culverts, and drainage systems

  • Mowing and controlling roadside vegetation

  • Reviewing driveway, utility, and right-of-way permits

  • Conducting traffic and roadway-safety studies

  • Inspecting roads, bridges, and other transportation assets

  • Responding to storm damage, fallen trees, flooding, and other roadway emergencies

Who Maintains the Road?

Responsibility depends on the road’s jurisdiction:

  • Bay County Road Commission: Certified County primary and local roads

  • Michigan Department of Transportation: State highways identified by an I-, US-, or M-route designation

  • Cities and villages: Streets under municipal jurisdiction

  • Private roads: Maintained by the property owners or private road association

The Bay County Road Commission also performs certain maintenance activities on state highways under contract with MDOT. Although Road Commission employees may perform the work, MDOT retains jurisdiction over those highways and establishes the applicable maintenance standards.

View Bay County’s Act 51 Certification Maps

How Are County Roads Funded?

The Bay County Road Commission does not have independent taxing authority. Its primary source of operating revenue is the Michigan Transportation Fund, which receives money from state motor-fuel taxes, vehicle-registration fees, and other transportation-related revenues.

Michigan’s motor-fuel tax is adjusted annually. For calendar year 2026, the tax rate is 52.4 cents per gallon. Transportation revenue is distributed under Public Act 51 among MDOT, county road commissions, and cities and villages after required statutory allocations.

Additional road funding may come from:

  • Federal and state transportation programs

  • Township contributions

  • Voter-approved road millages

  • Competitive grants

  • Permit fees

  • Reimbursements for contracted services

Funding received by the Road Commission must be used for eligible transportation purposes.

Working With Local Communities

Townships generally do not have jurisdiction over county roads, but they are important funding and planning partners. The Road Commission meets with township officials to identify priorities and coordinate local road improvements.

Available funding is not sufficient to complete every requested project at once. Projects are evaluated based on roadway condition, safety, traffic, available funding, grant eligibility, coordination opportunities, and long-term transportation needs.

Road construction costs vary considerably depending on the project’s length, design, drainage needs, utility conflicts, materials, environmental requirements, and current labor and material prices. For this reason, outdated statewide cost examples have been removed from this page.