BEVERLY HILLS, MI The Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) plans to complete nearly $27 million of road improvements during the 2016 road construction season, ranging from road widenings and gravel road paving to resurfacing projects, bridge maintenance and culvert replacements and repairs.

"We are excited about the improvements we're going to make to a variety of roads in Oakland County this year," said RCOC Chairman Ron Fowkes. "These important improvements will improve the quality of life and the business environment in the county."

Fowkes acknowledged that more work needs to be done in the county, but that funding limitations hamper additional plans. 

"We're still working in 2016 without additional road funding," said Fowkes. "Oakland County still has nearly $3 billion in un-funded road needs. However, we are working with our partner communities to do everything we can with the available funding."

"We appreciate the public's patience as we strive to improve the road system," said RCOC Vice Chairman Eric Wilson. "The unfortunate reality is we have more roads in poor versus good condition due to the long-term road-funding crisis. Partial funding relief, initiated by the Michigan Legislature, will begin hitting our books in 2017; however, the jury is still out on half of the funding that relies on General Fund allocations to be done yearly by the Legislature."

RCOC Commissioner Greg Jamian added that this year's investment in the transportation infrastructure will help everyone who lives, works and visits Oakland County. 

"The improving economy is bringing more people back to work, putting more traffic on our road system that has been underfunded for decades. Good roads continue to impact quality of life and help our business community continue to thrive," Jamian said. "We are committed to improving roads; however, we must work within our financial means that mostly come from state and federal gas tax revenues."

Work will start on some projects as early as late March.

A few 2016 projects of note:

Partial widening, reconstruction and dual culvert replacement on Big Beaver Road from Woodward (M-1) to Adams

Reconstruction of Dequindre from Burning Bush Street to West Utica in partnership with the Macomb County Road Commission and communities of Troy, Sterling Heights, Rochester Hills and Shelby Township

Reconstruction of Court Tower Blvd. from County Center Drive to Hospital Drive on the Oakland County government campus

Resurfacing of Rochester Road from Gerst Road to Bordman Road in Addison Twp.

Rehabilitation, resurfacing and adding a center left-turn lane on Maple Road from Farmington Road to Drake Road,

Paving Clyde Road from Tipscio Lake Road to Hickory Ridge

Heavy maintenance and repairs on four bridges

Culvert replacements on 11 Mile Road in Lyon Twp., Overbrook Road in Bloomfield Twp. and Middlebelt Road in Farmington Hills.