(Submitted by City Manager Todd Campbell)
While we are nearing the end of the massive undertaking of the Michigan Ave reconstruction project, there is still a large amount of work to do. Hoffman Bros. is scheduled to finish out this week with installation of concrete curb and gutter from Monroe Street west to the bridge and completion of sand and gravel in preparation for paving from Ann Arbor Street to Monroe Street.
The big change this past week was the mid-week closing of the N. Ann Arbor intersection. As everyone knows there are many, many vehicles that utilize N. Ann Arbor Street on a daily basis. The N. Ann Arbor Street intersection at Michigan Ave will be closed for the next few weeks as work continues. Parking lot #1 (northeast quadrant of Downtown Saline) will remain accessible from N. Ann Arbor Street through this coming Tuesday. However, on Wednesday, October 19th, the concrete curb and gutter and both drive approaches into/out of parking lot #1 will be under construction. This means that beginning next Wednesday, parking lot #1 will only be accessible from Hall Street. The City is temporally allowing two-way traffic on Hall Street from McKay Street to the southern-most driveway at parking lot #1. There will be an electronic message board located at the McKay and N. Ann Arbor intersection directing people wanting to access parking lot #1 to Hall Street beginning Wednesday.
The project continues to be approximately 30 days behind schedule. The sudden closure of N. Ann Arbor Street was necessary to keep the project moving forward to minimize the potential of extending the open to traffic date further into November. This closure was done in coordination with DTE’s work in the Maple/Michigan Ave intersection.
Note: Trash pick-up for those residents and businesses located in the construction zone – Waste Management will continue to pick up trash as regularly scheduled, however, due to the construction there may be instances when your trash is not picked-up on the regular day. If this happens, Waste Management will be picking up the missed trash collection the next day. Additionally, if Waste Management is not able to pick up your trash/recycling as regularly scheduled City staff encourages folks to contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) with questions/comments at 429-5624.
The City of Saline is selling pieces of the old street car tracks on a first come first served basis at City Hall, for those folks that would like to own a piece of Saline history. The cost is $25 for a 12” section of track; a portion of the proceeds will be used to pay for the cost of cutting up the track with the balance going towards a fundraiser to assist in paying for the new downtown streetscape.
Week of October 17th
Traffic Information
The following streets are scheduled to remain open this coming week: Mills, Harris, Davenport and Maple. The N. Lewis intersection is scheduled to re-open by next Thursday. The N. Ann Arbor Street intersection will remain closed for the next few weeks.
City staff encourages everyone to slow down, be patient and obey the traffic signs. In addition, please do not take short-cuts through private property in an attempt to avoid the current traffic shifts/detour routes, as it is illegal and unsafe. And please pause to let people out of their driveways.
Pedestrian Traffic
Temporary sidewalk is being installed on N. Ann Arbor like it was on S. Ann Arbor. Sidewalk replacement is progressing this week on the north half of the project.
There are parts of the construction zone that are not open to pedestrian traffic. There are also signs designating alternate pedestrian routes throughout the construction zone. Please obey the signs and seek alternate pedestrian routes that don’t include walking down the middle of re-routed traffic lanes.
Construction Activities
Asphalt paving from Ann Arbor Street to Monroe Street is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday of this coming week.
More concrete curb & gutter and other concrete flat work is planned.
The concrete barrier wall is scheduled to be removed and replaced with orange construction barrels and grabber cones early next week.
The decorative brick crew is scheduled to return to finish up minor remaining items on the south side of Michigan Ave and S. Ann Arbor Street. They will also begin working on the north side of Michigan Ave.
The street light and traffic signal crew will continue with the installation of light pole bases and conduit.
Please stay tuned for updates as the Michigan Ave project progresses. The City of Saline staff will be providing a minimum of a weekly update and sometimes daily informational postings depending on what is taking place in the construction zone.
Remember to visit our local Saline businesses during and after this great project and look for the Pave It Forward logo and the fun promotions being provide by Saline Main Street and the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce.
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