Need to Know: Upcoming Spring Construction Projects

Spring means it’s white-and-orange barrel season throughout Michigan, and in Birmingham, it’s no different. The city’s planning and engineering department has a host of projects lined up for the upcoming months.

Lincoln Avenue paving project

Starting in May and extending through the summer, Lincoln Avenue between Cranbrook Road and Southfield Road will be replaced with new concrete pavement. The original pavement on that stretch of Lincoln was laid in 1920.

Minor changes are being made in three areas to improve traffic safety:

• At Cranbrook Road (in front of ), Lincoln will be marked as a three-lane road, allowing for safer left turns. The road will not need to be widened.
• The intersection at Lincoln and Arlington Road will be reconfigured to allow for easier turning. Currently, Arlington Road runs into Lincoln at an angle.
• The left-turn lane will be extended at Southfield Road to allow for more efficient traffic movements.

Significant water and sewer improvements are planned for this project as well. Assistant city engineer Brendan Cousino said work on such improvements could begin May 16 — when school is still in session — or June 20, depending on the contractor.

"There will be some coordination required by the school," he said, since construction could potentially take place in front of Seaholm High School. "The schools are fully aware of the plans."

Pembroke Park subdivision street improvements

The following streets will be improved this year in the city’s northeastern corner:

• St. Andrews Road (Pembroke to Maple): Existing pavement will be removed to allow work on upgrading water and sewer system. New concrete pavement will be laid.
• Edenborough Road (Derby to Windemere): A new water main will be installed, and the road will be resurfaced.
• Windemere Road (St. Andrews to Coolidge): The existing asphalt will be replaced.

Cousino said this project will most likely begin mid-April.

Rouge River improvements

A sandbar will be removed from the area of the Lakeside Drive bridge, just south of Redding Road. The sandbar has reduced the flow of water underneath the bridge. Two natural-looking rock structures will be built to help channel the water.

The city will also stabilize the south slope of Maple Road between Baldwin Avenue and the . The Rouge River runs parallel to Maple at this point, and the slope there has destabilized as mature trees have died. The city will work to improve groundwater drainage and add natural plantings to help stop the erosion.

Cousino said bids for the projects will go out to area contractors in two weeks, meaning work will likely not begin until July. Only a portion of some streets, including Lakeside and Willetts Avenue, will need to be blocked off during construction, he said.

Sidewalk repair

All sidewalks south of Maple Road and west of either Adams and Woodward Avenue will be replaced and repaired as needed this summer. Work will begin after July 1, Cousino said.

Pierce Street Parking Garage repairs

City employees will also make improvements to the throughout the summer, including renovating the elevators, replacing the lighting system and patching and waterproofing Levels 4 and 5. During construction — which should begin around April 15, Cousino said — one level of parking will be closed at a time. Vehicles will still be able to enter and exit the garage from all levels.