Road Construction Planned
Road construction is planned for each year of the Capital Improvements Plan adopted by the Township Boardon Jan. 4, 2000. The County Road Commission’s local roads evaluation list was used in selecting roads for reconstruction in this program. The ten local thoroughfares with the lowest rankings were reviewed. These ten roads were reranked by traffic volumes so that the township’s limited road funds could be spent where they would benefit the most people. From 1999-2005 (the time frame when the CIP was adopted) $2.2 million dollars will be spent on Township Roads. Orr Road from Geddes to Frost was rebuilt in 1999 with economic development grant funds. The remaining roads proposed for drainage and paving improvements during the next five years include Short from State to Geddes, Kennely from Gratiot to Geddes, Geddes from Short to River, Thomas from Schomaker to Gratiot, Geddes from Graham to Thomas and Thomas from Gratiot to Geddes. Drainage improvements on two gravel roads, Orr and Schomaker are also included in the plan.
Funding for Roads
Funding for local roads comes from the County’s annual allocation and the township’s general funds. Thomas Township’s annual County allocation is approximately $52,000. This money is used toward the cost of projects with the Township paying 65% of the cost and the County allocation funding the remaining 35% until the total allocation is used. The Township is responsible for 100% of the costs after the allocation, is used. The road projects proposed stay within these parameters. The Board is continuing to look for ways to fund additional projects.