Commerce Road resurfacing pact OK'd by board

The Commerce Township Board of Trustees has agreed to enter into a cost participation agreement with the Oakland County Board of Road Commissioners to have asphalt resurfaced along Commerce Road from South Commerce Road to Union Lake Road.

A center turn lane and signal upgrade is also part of the project.

The total cost of the project is $2.1 million with construction costs totaling $1.88 million. The cost of the project will be split between the township, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), and the county general government, with federal dollars coming from the Federal Surface Transportation Program Fund.

“We’re fortunate to have participation from Oakland County and the federal government for these resurfacing projects,” said Commerce Township Clerk Dan Munro.

Federal funding for the project totals around $1.37 million.

The RCOC is contributing $606,816 toward total project costs, while the county is contributing $42,816, and the township is contributing $85,368.

The township’s share of the cost will be covered by both Tri-party Program funds and the township’s road improvement fund monies, according to Munro.

“This is a change of strategy for Commerce to become more of a partner with the RCOC in order to receive the maximum amount of federal funding available — to leverage as much outside participation in order to maximize the return and value at the local township level,” Munro said.