The Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC) is responsible for mowing the road right-of-way, typically 33-feet from the center line of the road for more than 1,600 miles of road each summer and fall.
Clearing vegetation for private driveway sight distance or along private roads is outside WCRC’s jurisdiction and is the responsibility of the property owner.
WCRC uses a subcontractor to perform roadside mowing. Per their contract, they will mow along paved (non-subdivision) county roads twice and unpaved (non-subdivision) county roads once throughout the season. They do not mow along subdivision roads. The contractor is responsible for the scheduling of mowing in order to mow through the county most efficiently. They generally work on a township-by-township basis.
Weather is a major factor in mowing schedules. For example, in years with heavy spring rains, the mowing contractor can’t start mowing as quickly as they would like to, meaning they get to all roads later in the season.
The mowing contract specifies that the contractor needs to mow 5-10 feet from the road edge. This very often will not include the ditch.
Many ditches across Washtenaw County need extensive ditch work after years of overgrowth. Ditching projects on local roads are performed by WCRC and funded in partnership with townships. These projects are scheduled early in the season and don’t involve the mowing contractor.
In addition, WCRC’s crews are working when the weather and schedules allow with the mechanical brush mower to address overgrown brush in ditches along public county roads.
WCRC does not mow for driveway sight distance. Driveway sight distance is the responsibility of the property owner per the terms of the driveway permit. WCRC will mow the road edges throughout the season which may help with driveway sight distance.
If a resident feels they still can’t see safely when pulling out of their driveway, they should clear the appropriate vegetation in order to be safe.
