LANSING, MI — From modern facilities and smarter asset tracking to stronger relationships with townships and staff, the Clinton County Road Commission (CCRC) is demonstrating how a smaller road agency can deliver big results through strategic planning and forward-thinking leadership.
Serving a county of roughly 80,000 residents — many of whom commute daily to Lansing and surrounding communities — CCRC plays a critical role in maintaining safe, reliable transportation across more than 1,180 miles of road. That responsibility has driven significant investments in people, planning, and infrastructure.
“It’s important for county road agencies to know that with a smaller road commission, you can still get a lot of work done and deliver some pretty innovative projects,” CCRC Managing Director Doug Steffen said.
One of the agency’s most visible improvements is its new office-garage-storage facility, dedicated in 2023 after more than a decade of planning. The modern building replaces a deteriorating 50-year-old structure that suffered from flooding, outdated systems, and limited space.
CCRC has also taken major steps to improve how it manages its infrastructure by investing in detailed asset tracking, including a comprehensive culvert inventory project. By identifying the location, condition, and priority of culverts across the county, the agency can better plan repairs, reduce emergency closures, and provide clearer communication to townships.
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“We now know how many culverts we have and what condition they’re in,” Steffen said. “That allows us and our townships to make better decisions and avoid costly surprises.”
Equally important to CCRC’s success is its emphasis on people. From regular communication with staff to scheduled one-on-one meetings with each township, the agency prioritizes transparency, collaboration, and responsiveness to community needs.
“Our success comes from how much our employees care about the work they do,” Steffen said. “We are responsive, and we take that responsibility seriously.”
