$3.6M resurfacing project on East Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor to start in May
Major repairs to East Stadium Boulevard are expected to start quickly following the Ann Arbor City Council's approval of the project.
By an 11-0 vote, the council awarded a $2.3 million construction contract to Dan's Excavating Inc. Monday night.
Homayoon Pirooz
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The total project is estimated to cost $3.6 million, of which $1.4 million will be funded by the city's water fund and $2.2 million will come from the street millage capital budget.
Homayoon Pirooz, head of the city's project management unit, said the project could start in a few weeks and finish by September. He said the pavement condition along that stretch of East Stadium Boulevard is rapidly deteriorating and it's time to resurface the street.
The resurfacing project comes as work continues on rebuilding the nearby Stadium Boulevard bridges that pass over State Street and the adjacent train tracks. Packard Road also is under construction through August from Platt Road to US-23.
A fifth public information sharing meeting on the Stadium bridges replacement project takes place from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Shelter Annex at Burns Park, 1200 Baldwin Ave.
The project is expected to continue through the end of this year and Stadium Boulevard remains closed in the vicinity of the construction with the bridge out.
Michael Nearing, the city's senior project manager, said the reconstruction of State Street from north of Henry Street to north of Rose also will start April 30 and last through mid-July.
Northbound traffic on State Street will be detoured, while southbound traffic will shift to the east side of the road through June 5 while the west half of the street is reconstructed.
Starting June 6, the east half of the street will be reconstructed while southbound traffic shifts to the west side of the road and northbound traffic remains detoured. State Street is scheduled to open to northbound and southbound traffic on July 12.
The council also voted 11-0 Monday night to approve a $50,185 contract with Inspection Services Co. for construction materials testing services on the Stadium Boulevard project.
The city held a meeting with neighbors at Tappan Middle School on Jan. 12 to present the proposed project design. Twelve members of the public attended.
Some members of the public asked for alternative designs, narrowing of the street and reducing the number of the traffic lanes permanently from five to four.
Pirooz said street resurfacing projects present an opportunity for the city to review traffic lane widths and consider adding bicycle lanes.
But he said the traffic volume on East Stadium Boulevard is about 22,000 vehicles per day and that requires the city to maintain the current street width and the existing five lanes.
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During the installation of the water mains, two traffic lanes will be under construction and three traffic lanes will remain open to traffic.
Pirooz said the street resurfacing project will include the installation of new ADA-compliant ramps along the corridor and two or three lanes of traffic will be maintained during those phases of the project.
Because there are no marked pedestrian crossings for more than 2,600 feet between Brockman and Packard, Pirooz said the city has designed new crosswalks with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons east of Baldwin Avenue and east of Ferdon Road.
Dan's Excavating was the lowest of five bidders on the project, coming in $300,000 less than the engineer's estimate.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
groland
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
Its about time. I don't care about the inconvenience, it is a small price to pay for better roads. We have some of the worst roads in the country: Miller, Dexter-Ann Arbor, Geddes, Hill, etc. are so full of holes and patches the constant pounding takes its toll on cars and buses. Any council member who favors arts projects over funding necessary infrastructure should be replaced ASAP.
Halter
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:33 a.m.
What it shows you is that the residents of this city are discontent with the poor representational leaders we currently have on City Council and that every one of them is in danger of losing thir seat at the next election...things like Bicycle Lanes keep coming up because they have lost all credibility: catering to the very few while ignoring the ever-growing discontent majority..
Peter Klaver
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:01 a.m.
All this hatred of bicycles is beginning to depress me. What is wrong with you people? This article doesn't even say anything about the City planning to add bike lanes, and yet in comment after comment the refrain is the same: bike lanes are useless, no body uses them, and so on. It's just embarrassing, an embarrassment of riches.
SMC
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
Bike lanes should not be implemented at the expense of motorists, commercial traffic, and emergency vehicles. It's just that simple.
Swordsman
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:08 p.m.
Right on Peter. If all you did was read these comments every day, you'd think that the solution to every issue in town was (1) never build another bike lane and (2) eliminate the public art 1%.
Susie Q
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:15 a.m.
There is now major construction (just started) on Huron Parkway between Hubbard and Fuller, both directions. It took me almost an hour to drive from Huron High School to Target at Oak Valley. I couldn't get onto 23 because Geddes was closed, the intersection at Washtenaw & Huron Parkway is terrible with all the Whole Foods and Arborland traffic, there was construction at Platt and Packard, there was a huge back up on Ellsworth, more construction on Ellsworth near the new Costco. I cannot imagine the traffic when Costco opens. I will not be shopping in Ann Arbor for awhile.
TruthMan
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:34 p.m.
WHAT ABOUT THE ANN-ARBOR/SALINE RD AND I-94 INTERSECTION !!! That is by far one of the worst sections of asphalt in the county, and would only cost $200,000 to re-do . It is the main entrance to the city ... why can't we get it fixed ????
foobar417
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 5:15 a.m.
As posted in previous articles, they have it on the schedule, for next year, IIRC.
ranger007
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.
Thannnnnnk you...its a laughing stock to anyone coning to ann arbor
Ben
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
This is terrible scheduling. Whose idea was it to start this project while Packard is torn up and Ellsworth has lane reductions? This was the last unobstructed (unless you count the everyday traffic backups) east-west corridor in this part of Ann Arbor. Should we all just strap on our jetpacks and fly across town??
SMC
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
No, just hop on your ethnic peace bicycle and carry your groceries home in its basket!
15crown00
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.
orange barrel city this summer.gotta love it if you don't live there.
eastsider2
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 11:01 p.m.
Not gonna be a good time for East-West travel on this side of town this summer. It's already nasty at rush hour with Packard construction (everybody goes to Stadium/Washtenaw or Ellsworth!) , Now Stadium at the same time? Ouch.
Olan Owen Barnes
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
Wonder how many people really use bicycle lanes - hardly see anyone use them but the talk is load for them - go figure?
PhillyCheeseSteak
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 4:44 p.m.
The bike lane on Packard from Stadium into the city is very, very busy with bikers - almost like a little Amsterdam!
Frustrated in A2
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:52 a.m.
Everybody says there are a lot of bikes on Liberty, that's really about it. We don't need 2,000 miles of bike lanes in town. A large majority of the people I see move over a whole lane when passing a cyclist. I've ridden my bike all over this town and agree we don't need that many bike lanes.
foobar417
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.
Lots of people use them. I see dozens every weekday morning making their way down Liberty, for instance. Year over year, you can definitely see the steady increase.
SMC
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:06 p.m.
I'm rather astounded that city council approved the resurfacing without the addition of useless bike lanes, and that the mayor didn't suggest closing the road to motor vehicle traffic because they couldn't add them, and making it into a bike path instead.
RunsWithScissors
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:06 p.m.
@SMC "But [Pirooz] said the traffic volume on East Stadium Boulevard is about 22,000 vehicles per day and that requires the city to maintain the current street width and the existing five lanes."
foobar417
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
Why? It actually is completely consistent with what they said about bike lanes and the 4-to-3 conversion on Jackson. Different traffic counts, different results. Just because you don't use them, doesn't make bike lanes useless.
Just My 2 Cents
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:18 p.m.
What was done a couple of years ago on the south side of E. Stadium? I think that was west of Packard though. Just a warning to the residents along that stretch - bewary of excavations that hit your sewer lateral and result in a back-up. It happens way too often.
Cici
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
Do they think every Ann Arborite rides a bicycle everywhere?? Get real......
Topher
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:09 a.m.
Yes! The Ann Arbor Cycle plan is working - once every street is torn up the public will have no choice but to ride bikes. And then we will let grass and weeds take over the streets so they are no more! Mountain bikes and smaller butts for all!
SMC
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
They'd like that, Cici. To promote that agenda, they'll start simultaneous construction projects on every major roadway that they can't justify making narrower.
foobar417
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
Not everyone, but some do.
Halter
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
While this is great, and a project long needed --- seriously, how mad is our planning? Even a Freshman Urban Studies student could tell you that you don't close the Stadium Bridges and all approaches thereabout, Platt, and Packard all at the same time....Really?...
PhillyCheeseSteak
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 4:41 p.m.
I wish I could avoid that area of town, but I live there!
ranger007
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 1:41 a.m.
A 5 year old could tell you that..that side of town is going to be a wreck..even more than it is now. I know where to avoid
DeeDee
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
@akronym, I've never heard of taking out left turns before either, but quoting the article "Some members of the public asked for alternative designs, narrowing of the street and reducing the number of the traffic lanes permanently from five to four."
SMC
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
Wait, I thought what everyone in Ann Arbor really wanted was 3-lane roads, not 4-lane ones.
DeeDee
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
Altogether now! No lane reductions on Washtenaw Avenue! That left turn lane is much needed! People have to be able to get from one end of town to another, and the absence of a left turn lane will result in rear end accidents as traffic in the entire lane has to stop everytime someone wants to make a left. Think about that Trader Joes entrance if that happens, or about school drop off/pick up time at Tappan.
jns131
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:56 p.m.
That street by St Frances, you cannot turn left if it is red. I like that idea. As for releasing students and entrance into Traders Joes? Bad time of day to go shopping.
akronymn
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
I've never heard of a lane reduction project that eliminates a left turn lane. They create left turn lanes.
MRunner73
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
That stretch of road is in bad shape and needs repair. Too bad everything is going on at once. Painful as it will be, good thing we have a countdown clock to complete this projects: the Michigan Football season. I know of a few short cuts to circum-navigate this.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 4:39 p.m.
When you're using shortcuts through neighborhoods, please remember the speed limit in residential neighborhoods is 25 mph. Also be cautious of children and pets.
jns131
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:55 p.m.
Especially the road on either side of that new bridge they are building as well.
Gale Logan
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
All this roadwork is the big bonus for holding out long enough to win the federal grant for the Stadium Bridges. Roads all over town will be torn up and it will be a great thing to see. Otherwise they would have spent the local money on the bridges. Well done!
Murf
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.
Of course they would time it with the Packard/Platt work. Well thought out folks! Ellsworth Rd. never looked so good now.
Ann English
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 11:18 p.m.
Packard west of Platt is fine, and Colony to Medford to St. Francis is still a way to get to Trader Joe's avoiding much road construction.
A2Realilty
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
Lowering them further, Ellsworth and State will be a mess as they are putting in a traffic circle at that intersection.
DeeDee
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
Just to lower your expectations of it being ok, Ellsworth at a busy time in the morning or afternoonis already completely backed up. It will be something to behold if all the traffic now on Stadium and Packard is trying to get down it.
JRW
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
I certainly hope they plan for the entrance and exit out of Trader Joe's on E Stadium, which is right at the intersection of Washtenaw. The traffic there can be heavy at certain times of the day. With the construction added into the mix, they need to plan for traffic flow in that area.
Ann English
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 11:31 p.m.
Planning for the exit out of Trader Joe's had to be planned for, all right. There isn't much room right now for right-turners, with a traffic signal so near. Left-turners don't have to line up for any traffic signal, and it often isn't hard to pull out onto East Stadium from there as long as no lanes are closed. I once explored that parking lot just beyond the Trader Joe's parking spaces, hoping to find another exit from the Lamp Post Plaza. To decrease some of the westbound Stadium traffic while resurfacing is being done, how about having that traffic from Washtenaw stay right on Washtenaw until Brockman, and then they could turn onto Brockman to get back to Stadium? That would facilitate turning left onto Stadium from all of the businesses in the Lamp Post Plaza.
RunsWithScissors
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.
@rkb0929 "The project includes replacement of the underground water mains between Packard Road and Brockman Boulevard, and subsequent resurfacing of East Stadium Boulevard from Packard Road to Washtenaw Avenue." The original poster is correct, this will affect the traffic in/out of the Lamppost Plaza.
rkb0929
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 2:38 a.m.
Construction is from Packard to Brockman, not down to Trader Joes
jns131
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 10:54 p.m.
A round about would look real good there. Yes, I agree, what a nightmare that area is.
a2grateful
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.
Yay!