By TOM TIGANI
Sunday Times Newspapers
SOUTHGATE — Resurfacing of at least one of two major roads here is scheduled to begin this month.
City officials recently signed documents giving crews from the Roads Division of Wayne County’s Department of Public Services to set up within the city limits for repairs on Allen Road from North Line to Pennsylvania. City Council members were briefed on the signoff at their July 22 meeting. The project also requires similar permission from officials in Taylor, which is bounded on the east side by Allen.
Southgate DPS Director David Weidenbach said he is unsure exactly when the project will begin. He also couldn’t say when work on Dix-Toledo was slated to start, though he expects it will be soon.
Dix-Toledo also will be resurfaced between North Line and Pennsylvania. Weidenbach said county officials also have agreed to repave the northbound ramp from Pennsylvania to Dix-Toledo, a small project that should provide a big relief for a lot of drivers.
City crews have patched the ramp multiple times, he said, but it is so damaged that many, many drivers have called to complain about having to drive on its outer edges to avoid potholes.
“It’s very, very good news,” Weidenbach said. “We’re glad they’re doing that.”
He said he’s heard only that the Allen project will start “around the middle of the month.” Phone calls to county officials seeking details about the Allen and Dix-Toledo projects were not returned as of press time.
Weidenbach had no information on timing of the latter project, but said it would “cause us a lot of grief if both were going on at the same time,” and that he’s hoping for quick word on both resurfacing.
“Potentially we could have two north-south roads being tied up,” he said. “We’re going to have to have some sort of alternative to divert traffic.”
• In other Southgate DPS news, Weidenbach said crews recently completed a water main relining project on Superior between Allen and Reeck in preparation for the first paving of the stretch of dirt road. The new technology for restoring mains creates a new main inside the old one, he said, and is part of additional sewer work that must be done before the paving can begin.
New storm lines and underground storage capabilities also must be added, Weidenbach said. Water, sewer and paving of the stretch of road will cost about $1 million, which will come from a combination of sources, including city Water Department funds, a road millage passed a couple of years ago and a recently obtained federal grant.
Another $264,000 worth of patchwork throughout the city will be paid for with money from the millage also is ongoing this year.
All county and city projects are expected to complete by winter, Weidenbach said.