Macomb County enhances road, bridge and traffic network through strategic investments, creative engineering and additional state funding

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. - Officials from the Macomb County Executive Office and the Macomb Department of Roads (MCDR) provided an overview of the current state of Macomb County's roads, highlighted progress that was made in 2026, which included more than $119 million in road, bridge and traffic improvements. With the passage of the state budget and additional road funding now in place, the agency also previewed plans for 2027.

"Road needs are significant, and the work ahead requires smart investments and strong partnerships. We invested more than $119 million in road, bridge and traffic improvements in 2026, and additional state funding gives us the opportunity to accelerate that progress in 2027 and beyond," said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. "And with an estimated $2.5 billion needed to address our road and bridge needs, we're focused on making every dollar count, finding creative solutions and working with our local communities and state partners to keep Macomb County driving forward."

Macomb County is Michigan's third most populated county and home of the sixth largest road system in the state. MCDR is responsible for the management of more than 1,700 miles of county roadways, 226 bridges, 831 culverts, 900 traffic signals, 350 traffic cameras and 60,000 traffic signs. Macomb County has made significant investments in roads and bridges in recent years while incorporating the use of the latest traffic technology to reinforce MCDR's existing programs and strategies.

MCDR has made notable progress in recent years, but there is still work to be done. Macomb County estimates more than $2.5 billion is needed to improve every road and bridge under their jurisdiction.

MCDR's annual programs are strategically focused on maximizing available funding and utilizing a mix of creative solutions to strengthen and enhance transportation infrastructure under Macomb County's jurisdiction. The chart below provides current and projected pavement condition ratings and lane miles improved based on current and anticipated state funding.

_{Projected pavement conditions and lane miles of road improved are estimated based on data trends and the anticipated state funding increase for county road agencies.}

"We've made strategic investments to strengthen Macomb County's roads, bridges and traffic infrastructure, and the results are visible in the data and improved pavement conditions," said MCDR Interim Director Scott Wanagat. "With the additional state funding now secured, our team is positioned to accelerate the progress we've made while maximizing every available dollar through strategic investments, creative engineering and comprehensive planning. We know exactly how many assets we have, the condition they are in and how much it will cost to fix them properly."

2026 progress

Through MCDR's strategic programs and transportation asset management practices, the agency invested more than $119 million into Macomb County's transportation network in 2026, which included:

• Road, bridge and traffic improvements on 100 primary and local roads
• 64 asphalt and concrete pavement preservation projects
• 3 bridge and large culvert projects
• 20 subdivision projects
• Improved 270 lane miles of primary and local roads
• More than 1,400 miles of pavement markings applied to county roads
• Treated 328 miles of gravel roads
• Applied 23,540 tons of limestone to gravel roads
• Issued more than 1,270 commercial, utility and residential permits
• Completed an inventory of more than 65,000 roadside assets, including traffic signs and guardrails, to support MCDR's electronic asset management system
• Implemented 580 traffic signal timing changes to improve traffic flow and efficiency during congestion, incidents, and special events
• Expanded MCDR's Intelligent Transportation System through the installation of more than 16 miles of fiber-optic communications infrastructure to improve real-time traffic management
• Modernized 10 traffic signals to meet current design standards and improve operational reliability

Notable projects

William P. Rosso Highway. The project is a partnership between Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Macomb County. The project includes relocating and reconstructing William P. Rosso Highway, constructing a roundabout at Town Center Boulevard, relocating road drainage infrastructure and the Irwin Drain, and constructing concrete box culverts. The road project broke ground in August 2026 and is anticipated to be completed in 2027.

Broughton Road. In partnership with Macomb Township, the project includes expanding Broughton Road between 23-1/2 Mile Road and 24-1/2 Mile Road. The project will create a new downtown district in the township and includes roundabouts, new water main and sewer, and culvert construction. The project broke ground in July 2026 and is anticipated to be completed in 2027.

Mound Road. MCDR completed resurfacing work between 8 Mile Road and I-696 in Warren. The $2.5 million (secured through a State of Michigan grant) pavement preservation project included pavement milling (removal of 3 inches of pavement) and a 3-inch asphalt overlay. MCDR resurfaced Mound Road while Macomb County seeks additional funding for the reconstruction of Innovate Mound Segment II. MCDR secured $8.75 million needed for the $100 million reconstruction of Innovate Mound Segment II. Innovate Mound Segment I between I-696 and M-59 opened on time and on budget in 2023.

Dequindre Road. Resurfacing work took place as part of two projects in Warren. Dequindre Road was resurfaced between 8 Mile Road and Maplelane Avenue and between 13 Mile Road and 14 Mile Road. The $2.2 million pavement preservation projects included pavement milling (removal of 2 inches of pavement) and a 3-inch asphalt overlay. The projects were performed ahead of a large Consumers Energy transmission pipeline project coming in 2027 and to allow MCDR time to plan and secure funds for the Dequindre Road corridor reconstruction revitalization.

Metropolitan Parkway. MCDR completed resurfacing work between Mound Road and Van Dyke Avenue, which pavement milling (removal of 2 inches of pavement) and a 3-inch asphalt overlay. The Metropolitan Parkway bridge, which carries Metropolitan Parkway over an active railroad corridor between Mound Road and Van Dyke Avenue, remains a top priority for MCDR. Recognizing Metropolitan Parkway is a critical link through Macomb County, MCDR is choosing to prioritize early involvement while we pursue additional federal grant funding to replace the bridge and revitalize this critical primary road segment.

2027 preview

Looking ahead, MCDR has an extensive mix of work and more than $99 million in infrastructure investments planned for next year. Below are a few notable projects that are expected to take place in 2027.

In addition to these capital investment projects, MCDR will invest $16 million in concrete and asphalt preservation work as well as $8 million in subdivision focused improvements.

A full list of projects that were completed in 2026 and a map of projects that are anticipated to take place in 2027, 2028 and 2029 are available at macombgov.org/macombworkzone. The public can stay up to date of what's happening on Macomb County's roadways by signing up for real-time lane closures and construction updates online.

The Macomb County State of the Roads presentation is available online at macombgov.org/roads. Photos and videos of 2026 Macomb County construction work are available online.