Novi-area drivers stand to see major road construction ramp up in 2027 after the Road Commission for Oakland County presented a proposed $269.8 million budget at a public hearing Thursday, Aug. 20, in Beverly Hills.
The spending plan, which heads to the RCOC board for an adoption vote Thursday, Sept. 17, represents a $76.4 million increase over the current year's $193.4 million budget, according to RCOC's budget proposal. More than $40 million of the road-improvement dollars are earmarked for three Novi-area projects: a $33.2 million allocation toward widening 12 Mile Road from Beck Road to Dixon Road, a $4.5 million resurfacing of 12 Mile from Dixon to Novi Road, and a $2.5 million roundabout at 9 Mile Road and Napier Road on the Novi/Lyon Township border.
The budget increase is fueled largely by a jump in state road funding, which RCOC expects to reach $182 million in fiscal year 2027, up from the current year's $132 million. That boost traces to Michigan's October 2025 road-funding legislation, which added corporate income tax revenue and a new wholesale marijuana tax to road coffers while eliminating the state income tax contribution.
Federal funding is also climbing, from $28.3 million to $45.1 million, and local government contributions rise from $11.6 million to $20.1 million.
12 Mile widening: Beck to Dixon
The single largest project in the budget is the 12 Mile Road widening in Novi and Wixom, which will convert the stretch from two lanes to a four-lane boulevard. The total project cost is $35 million, funded through federal dollars, RCOC funds and contributions from Novi, Wixom and Oakland County's Tri-Party Program, according to the city of Novi's project page.
Site preparation began in mid-June 2026. Full construction is planned from 2027 through late 2028.
The project includes 10-foot sidewalks on the north side and 6-foot sidewalks on the south, an improved curve east of Beck Road, an updated CSX railroad crossing, new traffic signals and a realigned Taft Road/12 Mile intersection.
A separate $4.5 million resurfacing of 12 Mile from Dixon to Novi Road is also in the budget.
9 Mile/Napier roundabout
The $2.5 million roundabout at 9 Mile and Napier will replace two T-intersections with a single modern roundabout and add pedestrian crosswalks at all legs. Construction is expected to start in spring 2027 and wrap by end of summer, according to RCOC's project notice. The intersection will be fully closed during construction.
Novi plans to install a water main at the site in fall 2026, with tree removal and utility relocation over the winter.
Where the money goes
The $269.8 million budget allocates $103.4 million to the Road Improvement Program, $44.7 million for maintenance such as pothole patching, gravel grading and winter plowing, and $19.3 million for traffic signs, signals, pavement markings and guardrails. Total construction cost for all 2027 projects is $81.7 million.
RCOC Director of Engineering Sam Fitzer presented the road-improvement overview at the Aug. 20 hearing. Board Chairman Eric McPherson said in the commission's budget announcement that the spending plan "represents our concerted effort to continue to provide better, safer roads."
The entire $269.8 million in spending is covered by incoming revenues, with no draw from fund balance.
The RCOC board meets Sept. 17 at its offices at 31001 Lahser Road in Beverly Hills. Residents can submit requests to speak through the RCOC website.
