Dear Dalton Township Residents,

MDOT has stipulated changes to the Road Commission on the M-routes as well as portions of the Business routes for this season.  The level of service goal for these highways is to provide pavement "generally bare of ice and snow" for one wheel track in each direction using overtime as necessary.  Clearing to a full width is expected to be done after the storm even without using overtime.  The Road Commission expects to be using some of these same concepts on their county roads.

Some of the modifications you will notice are the same as last season:

• Solid sanding areas to be done only as directed by supervisor.
• Shoulders will be scraped with less pressure so that the plowed shoulder behind the blade will remain lightly snow covered or "white" rather than exposing a bare shoulder surface.  No materials will be used.
• Material to be placed 500 feet from intersections on primary roads and 100 feet on local roads.
• Material will continue to be applied on hills, curves, and lights.
• Local county roads will be plowed at 4 inches instead of 3 inches.
• Crews may be staggered for call in overtime as weather specifies.
• Subcontractors will be assisting in snow removal as needed.

Winter activities can alter a budget tremendously, so depending on the weather, levels of service could change to some extent throughout the 2009/2010 season.  As the season progresses and funding is reviewed, alterations will be made sensibly and safely for the motoring public.  Remember the Road Commission is dedicated to keeping county roads reasonably safe for vehicular traffic.  Dalton Township, along with the Road Commission, encourages drivers to slow down and drive to conditions.

Thank you and have a safe holiday season,

Chris Hall,

Dalton Township Supervisor

766-3043 ext. 404

chall@daltontownship.org