Keeping Ottawa County Moving
The Ottawa County Road & Bridge Department is responsible for maintaining county roads, bridges, and drainage ditches throughout Ottawa County. Our team works year-round to provide safe and reliable transportation by grading roads, maintaining ditches, repairing bridges, replacing aging infrastructure, and responding to weather-related conditions.
Ottawa County has approximately 1,056 miles of legally open roads, including 169 miles of County-maintained roads. These county roads are fully maintained by the Road & Bridge Department, including the purchase and placement of surface materials.
Road Maintenance
The department employs 9 rural motor grader operators, each responsible for maintaining approximately 120 miles of gravel and dirt roads.
Following rain or snowfall, road maintenance is prioritized in the following order:
- County gravel roads
- Township gravel roads with occupied residences
- Dirt roads
- Pasture roads
During significant winter storms, dirt roads and pasture roads are cleared only when necessary for emergency livestock access.
New Construction & Driveway Entrances
If you are planning to build a new home, develop property, or install a new driveway entrance, all entrances must be approved by the Road & Bridge Administrator.
Before construction begins, a Ditch Crossing Permit/Application must be completed. Please contact the Ottawa County Road & Bridge Department for application requirements and guidance before starting your project.
The department offers culverts for purchase at cost plus a handling fee. Culverts may be delivered at no additional charge when delivery can be scheduled at the County's convenience.
Agricultural Entrances
Each agricultural landowner is eligible for one 30-foot field entrance.
The County will provide:
- A new culvert for a qualifying entrance, or
- An extension to an existing entrance that is less than 30 feet wide.
Additional agricultural entrances follow the same policies and approval process as new construction.
Fences & Right-of-Way
The County does not remove or replace fences except when necessary for County bridge construction or replacement projects.
Work performed outside the County right-of-way is limited to situations where it is necessary to protect County roads or bridges.
Road Signs
Property owners requesting additional or specialty road signs beyond the County's standard signage are responsible for the cost of both the sign and the post.
Once purchased, the Ottawa County Road & Bridge Department will install the sign at no additional labor cost.
