Macomb County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Macomb County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Schoenherr Road Reconstruction
A $15.4 million MDOT contract will rebuild Schoenherr Road between 23 Mile and 25 Mile Roads, with the county covering about $2.9 million. The full Board still needs to give final approval.
County roads: Romeo Plank reconstruction and Neighborhood Roads Fund
Roads officials previewed the long-awaited Romeo Plank reconstruction starting in late 2027, a big 2027 slate of resurfacing projects, and reliance on the new state Neighborhood Roads Fund — which may bring in less than the $30 million forecast. The department wants 11 new hires to tackle 33 vacancies and improve snow plowing.
Rosso Highway Project Grant Agreement
A $38.2 million state grant agreement and $27.8 million construction contract will reroute Rosso Highway near Selfridge, at no county cost.
Traffic Signal and Safety Improvements
A $1.77 million MDOT project will finally add a mast-arm traffic signal and turn lanes at the chronically dangerous 26 Mile and Hayes intersection, where the road's odd skew has caused repeated crashes. The county's share is about $1.02 million, with state safety funds and local communities covering the rest.
26 Mile & Hayes Road Intersection Safety Improvement
A $1.77 million MDOT project will finally add a mast-arm traffic signal and turn lanes at the chronically dangerous 26 Mile and Hayes intersection, where the road's odd skew has caused repeated crashes. The county's share is about $1.02 million, with state safety funds and local communities covering the rest.
21 Mile Road bridge replacement
The county is chipping in about $1.46 million toward a $6.125 million MDOT project to replace the 21 Mile Road bridge. Construction should start in November and run through the winter, wrapping up around June.
32 Mile Road Resurfacing in Richmond
A $794,777 contract will repave 32 Mile Road from the CN Railroad east to the county line before the end of November.
Federal transportation funding threat
Commissioner Wallace warned that if Congress doesn't renew the transportation bill, transit funding could drop 20% and the bridge formula program could disappear — hitting counties hard.
Clinton Township Road Rehabilitation (Little Mack, Carlier, South Nunneley)
Cost-share deals fund the 25 Mile Road bridge rehab in Shelby Township and Little Mack/Carlier/Nunneley rehab in Clinton Township, with construction starting this fall.
Public Transportation Millage on November 2026 Ballot
The county is moving toward putting a transit millage renewal on the November 3 ballot at about 0.94 mills — slightly less than the current levy, so no tax increase. The new structure dedicates 12.5% of each community's millage revenue back to that community for local transit needs, with a master service agreement and annual renewal provisions. SMART reports ridership up 30% this quarter and on-time performance improving.
Roadside Dead Deer Removal Program
The county will pay Respectful Removal, LLC up to $150-$200 per deer to clear roadkill from public roadways.
Rosso Highway Rerouting Project
A $38.2 million grant agreement with the state will reroute Rosso Highway near Selfridge, including a new roundabout at Towne Center Boulevard and drain relocations — all state-funded with no county cost. Construction runs through late 2027 with detours around 21 Mile Road.
Public Transportation Millage and SMART Agreement
Reallocated SMART dollars add $39,032 for essential medical transportation rides for seniors and severely disabled residents, meaning more people can actually get to appointments.
Broughton Road reconstruction and extension
The board approved a $17.5 million construction contract and a $6.2 million county cost share with Macomb Township to extend Broughton Road, plus township limestone and pavement programs across the county.
2026 Township Road Programs
A batch of routine but significant road work: Metro Parkway path improvements, Romeo Plank Road reconstruction, countywide pavement striping, a revised Clinton Township repaving deal, and limestone applications on gravel roads in five northern townships — most of it heavily funded by federal aid or township dollars.
2026 Road Resurfacing and Subdivision Preservation Program
The board greenlit the 2026 paving program — a $15.5 million asphalt contract plus cost-share deals repaving major roads and subdivision streets in Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton, Chesterfield, Shelby and Harrison Township. A resident also complained that patching Moravian Drive is wasting money and hurting property values.
Moravian Drive road condition complaint
A Clinton Township homeowner told the board that patching Moravian Drive is wasting money and dragging down property values, and questioned the mileage figures in the paving project.
New State Road Money Won't Arrive Until 2027
Lawmakers made a splash about new road funding, but the Roads Department told commissioners the new neighborhood-roads dollars (about $30 million extra for the county) won't start flowing until early 2027 because the taxes funding them are just now being collected. Local leaders already know, but residents expecting quick fixes should temper expectations.