iron county road commission

What iron county road commission does

The Iron County Road Commission (ICRC) is a municipal corporation established in 1893 under Michigan state law, headquartered at 800 West Franklin St., Iron River, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is governed by a five-member elected Board of County Road Commissioners (Chairman Ernest Schmidt, Vice Chairman Ronald Frailing, and Commissioners Dan Germic, Chuck Battan, and Jim Cihak) with Superintendent/Manager Bradley P. Toivonen overseeing daily operations and Finance Director/Clerk Michelle L. Johnson managing financial administration. ICRC maintains 633 primary and local road miles plus 224 MDOT highway miles (857 total miles) and is mandated to provide a road system that is reasonably safe and convenient for the traveling public of Iron County.

Its core service offering is government road maintenance and reconstruction, including seasonal spring weight restrictions, culvert replacements, road closures, snow wing-equipped motor grading, and coordination with the Michigan Department of Transportation on state highway projects (notably US-2 resurfacing from Airport Rd. to the Wisconsin state line). The organization does not operate proprietary technology platforms; its technology footprint consists of standard road construction equipment (a 2021 John Deere 770G motor grader, currently being divested via sealed bid with an August 10, 2026 deadline), the Oxcart Permits online permitting platform (mandatory for all submissions as of March 17, 2025), and a website with Google Analytics. Construction delivery is executed through contracted firms such as Pitlick & Wick and Bacco Construction alongside internal work crews.

ICRC's revenue model is a hybrid of Michigan Act 51 state transportation formula funding (allocated based on mileage and statutory factors), property taxes, state fuel tax pass-throughs, and a small stream of transaction-based permit fees ranging from $8 (seasonal hauler exemptions) to $200 (annual right-of-way permits for utility companies). It is a non-profit, government state entity with no parent company, external investors, or private ownership structure, and it operates exclusively within Iron County, Michigan.

Name

iron county road commission

Legal name

Iron County Road Commission

Website

https://ironcountyroads.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1893

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Iron County Road Commission is a Michigan municipal corporation established in 1893 that maintains 857 miles of county and state highways in Iron County's Upper Peninsula, funded primarily through Michigan Act 51 state transportation formula allocations and permit fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Road Maintenance and Public Works

SIC

Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Transportation, Roads & Public Works Administration (BPAIABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Lane Closure, Detour & Diversion Operations (Detour Setup, Route Management, Access Management) (TLAJALAK)

Keywords

• County road maintenance
• Public works services
• Transportation infrastructure
• Road construction services
• Right-of-way permitting

Headquarters

HQ city

Iron River

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The Iron County Road Commission is funded through Michigan Act 51, which distributes state transportation funds to county road commissions based on formula and mileage. Additional funding comes from property taxes and state fuel taxes allocated to county road systems.
2. Permit Fees: The organization collects various permit fees for work within right-of-way, oversize/overweight vehicle permits, mobile home moves, and seasonal restriction exemptions. Fees range from $8 to $200 depending on permit type and duration.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Iron County Road Commission maintains, manages, and reconstructs county roads and highways within Iron County, Michigan, totaling 857 miles (224 MDOT highway miles, 270 primary road miles, and 363 local road miles). It administers permits for work within road rights-of-way, oversize/overweight vehicles, mobile home moves, and seasonal restrictions. The commission is funded primarily through Michigan Act 51 state transportation funds, property taxes, and state fuel taxes, with additional revenue from permit fees.

Product overview

The Iron County Road Commission is a government agency providing public infrastructure services rather than a commercial product company. Its core service offering is the maintenance and management of county roads and highway systems within Iron County, Michigan, including 224 MDOT highway miles, 270 primary road miles, and 363 local road miles. The organization operates several service-oriented programs including a sealed bid acceptance system for equipment sales (such as motor graders), an online permit management system through Oxcart for work within rights-of-way and oversize/overweight vehicle permits, seasonal road restriction management, financial reporting and budget transparency via dashboard publications, job postings and employment applications, meeting schedules and minutes, FOIA request processing, and various policy documents including mailbox replacement, political signs, roadside signs, road abandonment, and seasonal road restriction policies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• County Road Maintenance and Reconstruction Core service covering maintenance, reconstruction, and resurfacing of the 633 primary and local road miles plus the 224 MDOT highway miles under management in Iron County, Michigan. Services include HMA reconstruction, HMA overlay, gravel road grading, snow removal, and culvert replacement delivered to the traveling public.
• Right-of-Way Work Permits Permits issued for work performed within Iron County road rights-of-way by utility companies, contractors, and property owners. Includes CRA 100 ($25 per operation), CRA 110 ($100 seasonal, utility companies), ICRC 100 ($200 annual), and CRA 110A ($0 seasonal notification app). Mandatory submission through Oxcart Permits as of March 17, 2025.
• Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permits Permits authorizing movement of oversize or overweight vehicles on Iron County roads. Available as single-use permits ($50) or annual permits ($100), with single-trip move date requests requiring 24-48 hours advance submission through Oxcart Permits.
• Mobile Home Move Permits Permits authorizing the movement of mobile homes on Iron County roads. Available as single-use permits ($50) or annual permits ($100), with submissions required 24-48 hours prior to the desired move date through Oxcart Permits.
• Seasonal Road Restriction Exemptions Permits providing exemptions to Iron County spring weight restrictions and other seasonal limitations. Includes Special restriction permits ($35 single use) and Haulers Exemption permits ($8 seasonal) issued via Oxcart Permits.
• Seasonal Road Restrictions Management Annual program enforcing spring weight restrictions and other seasonal road limitations across Iron County's road network to protect road infrastructure during vulnerable periods. Restrictions lifted effective May 15, 2026 for spring 2026 season.
• Construction Project Bidding (HMA Reconstruction and Overlay) Sealed-bid construction contracting services on HMA Reconstruction and Overlay projects awarded to qualified contractors (e.g., Pitlick & Wick for 2026 Hagerman Lake Rd. HMA Reconstruction; Bacco Construction for 2026 Channing Rd. HMA Overlay). Provides road construction services to Iron County motorists through awarded contractors.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oxcart PermitscoreTechnology or IntegrationOxcart Permits is the mandatory online permitting platform used by the Iron County Road Commission for all permit submissions including spring restriction permits, culvert permits, oversize/overweight permits, and right-of-way work permits. Effective March 17, 2025, all permits must be submitted through their system. The partnership enables paperless permits, interactive GIS mapping for route selection, and online payment processing.
• McCoy (Equipment Dealer)minorOthersMcCoy is the equipment dealer from whom the Iron County Road Commission leased the 2021 John Deere 770G Motor Grader with a five-year buyback option and full warranty. The machine was leased with comprehensive warranty coverage.
• County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM)coreOthersCRAM is the industry association representing county road agencies in Michigan. The Iron County Road Commission is a member and participates in this statewide organization for county road commissions.
• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDOT partners with the Iron County Road Commission on state highway projects. The commission maintains 224 MDOT highway miles and participates in coordinated construction projects including US-2 resurfacing from Airport Rd. to the Wisconsin state line. MDOT Act 51 governs funding distribution.
• Pitlick & WickminorOthersPitlick & Wick is the contractor awarded the 2026 Hagerman Lake Rd. HMA Reconstruction project, extending 5050 feet from Ottawa Lake Rd. to East Brule Rd.
• Bacco ConstructionminorOthersBacco Construction is the contractor awarded the 2026 Channing Rd. HMA Overlay project at two locations totaling approximately 2000 feet of road reconstruction.
• Iron County TownshipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe commission coordinates local road projects with Iron County townships including Bates Township and Stambaugh Township. Projects include Forsberg Rd., Little Finland Rd., Rogers Ave., Brule River Rd., Forestview Dr., and Cataldo Dr. improvements.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Marquette County Road Commission: Neighboring Michigan county road commission operating in the Upper Peninsula with similar mandate to maintain county roads and administer permits under Michigan Act 51 funding, comparable scale and rural conditions.
• Dickinson County Road Commission: Adjacent Iron County neighbor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with the same county road commission structure, Act 51 funding model, and seasonal restriction management approach.
• Baraga County Road Commission: Small Upper Peninsula county road commission with similar road mile count, rural geography, and reliance on Michigan Act 51 funding, making it a near-identical operating model.
• Houghton County Road Commission: Upper Peninsula county road commission with comparable infrastructure footprint, MDOT partnerships, and seasonal road restriction management practices as Iron County.
• Gogebic County Road Commission: Western Upper Peninsula county road commission with similar rural road maintenance responsibilities, harsh winter conditions, and Act 51 funding dependency.
• Menominee County Road Commission: Upper Peninsula county road commission operating under the same Michigan statutory framework, with comparable scale and permitting structure for utility and oversize vehicle permits.
• Chippewa County Road Commission: Eastern Upper Peninsula county road commission with similar Act 51 funding model, seasonal restriction management, and rural road maintenance responsibilities.
• Ontonagon County Road Commission: Small Upper Peninsula county road commission with similar limited population base, rural road network, and Act 51 funding reliance, providing a close operating model comparison.

Broad incumbents

• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT): State-level agency that oversees the 224 MDOT highway miles maintained by Iron County Road Commission and distributes Act 51 funding to all 83 Michigan county road commissions, providing the broader regulatory framework.

Others

• County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM): Statewide industry association of which Iron County Road Commission is a member, representing all county road agencies in Michigan and providing policy advocacy, training, and shared services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IronCountyRoadCommission
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iron-county-road-commission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about iron county road commission