Northbound Coolidge Set to Close April 17 for Reconstruction

Construction on northbound Coolidge Highway between 10 and 11 Mile roads will begin April 17 and run throughout the summer, the Huntington Woods project manager confirmed.

While most understand the work is necessary – residents approved a $2 million bond for the paving and water main replacement project, which also includes sections of LaSalle and Huntington – the plan has some residents worried about pedestrian safety and annual events in the area.

The City Commission last week awarded the $1.84 million contract for the work to DiPonio Contracting Inc. of Shelby Township. Larry Harworth, Huntington Woods Department of Public Works project manager, said the project will be wrapped up by the contract deadline, Sept. 17.

“The improvements, especially Coolidge, have long-term benefits for the city and the new roads should last another two decades,” Harworth said.

In fact, the city is expecting a decision today on its lawsuit against the engineering firm that reconstructed the same stretch of Coolidge in 2001, which City Manager Alex Allie said fell apart almost immediately after the work was completed. That project cost $700,000. 

Detours and restrictions planned

The detour route will require drivers traveling north on Coolidge to head west, to Greenfield, and take Greenfield north to 11 Mile Road, then head east, back one mile, to catch Coolidge again.

All egress points from 10 Mile to Lincoln will be closed. Lincoln, however, will remain open until the repaving project reaches that street. The two commercial stores with entrances on Coolidge, and bank, also have egress onto Lincoln. Harworth noted the Coolidge access for both businesses will reopen once the Lincoln/Coolidge intersection is closed.

“Morton and Scotia will both have signs posted for ‘local traffic only,’ ” Harworth said, adding that the Department of Public Safety will monitor the situation and enforce a ban on nonresidential traffic, “but you will always get people who cheat,” referring to drivers avoiding the posted detour route.

Pedestrian will need alternate routes, too

During the time of construction, Harworth anticipates only a slight disruption in pedestrian traffic, which he says is fixable by alternative routes, just like with motorists.

This specifically pertains to the local schoolchildren using the Lincoln intersection, and the City-Wide Garage Sale set for May 18-20.

“We will maintain the crosswalks until school is out,” Harworth said, adding that a flier with those details was sent to each resident recently. “We’ll make sure it’s safe and even when school is out, we’ll maintain the cross walk until we have to build that intersection.”

For the City-Wide Garage Sale, Harworth said there have been many phone calls into the Department of Public Works from residents wondering how the construction will affect the annual tradition, which draws thousands of people, and even requesting the construction be put off until after the event.

“That just can’t be done,” Harworth explained. “All the side streets off of Coolidge will be closed, but the project shouldn't affect anything that has to do with the garage sale in the city because people can go around. They can still get to those houses from Berkley Street, the first north and south street that’s east of Coolidge.”

Harworth said the payoff of any inconvenience will be well worth it come fall, when the project is completed.

“That street need to be repaired, there’s no doubt about it. We’ll do the best we can.”

Timeline of project

The underground improvements will commence first, including the replacement of water main and storm drain lines, before the repaving begins, Harworth explained. Some residents may have noticed work along Coolidge ahead of the repaving has already begun as DTE Energy replaces gas mains that run adjacent to the street.

The new Coolidge will be paved with concrete versus asphalt, according to Brad Brickel, project manager at Nowak & Fraus Engineers, which was contracted to create the plans and execute the permitting process.

“Based on cost, since asphalt prices are higher because of oil prices and being there is concrete already adjacent, it will create a uniform pavement,” Brickel said. “Plus, you’ll get 30 years on concrete versus 20 on asphalt — it’s just more durable.”

Brickel said the estimated 20,000 daily drivers who travel the one-mile stretch of Coolidge set to close will ultimately be grateful they bore the inconvenience of a detour route.

“You’re likely to get 25-30 years of good roadway out of this,” Brickel said, acknowledging the need for maintenance throughout the course of the roadway’s expected lifespan. “It will be a definite improvement.”