By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — City representatives addressed questions and concerns about upcoming construction plans during a presentation Feb. 3 at Lowrey School, 6601 Jonathon.
Public Works Director James Murray and City Engineer Yunus Patel explained what neighborhoods and roads were scheduled for the Combined Sewer Overflow Control, Water Main Replacement and Asphalt Street Pavement Resurfacing projects.
The sewer project will have new sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water mains and new concrete paving on Colson from Greenfield to Ternes.
This aspect of the project will take about 14 weeks to complete, while all other portions of the construction projects are scheduled to be completed in 10 weeks, Patel said.
Construction for storm sewers and partial concrete pavement is planned for Colson from Ternes to Chase, Payne Court from Greenfield to Colson, Payne from Colson to the dead end south of Normandale, Mead and Steadman from Colson to South Mead, East Hubbard Drive from Ternes to Schlaff, Roemer from Michigan Avenue to East Hubbard Drive, Schlaff from Argyle to Kenilworth, Schlaff from Kendal to Chase, Orchard from Michigan Avenue to Colson, and Chase from Michigan Avenue to Ford Road.
The water main replacement, asphalt resurfacing and new concrete curb construction will take place on Kinglsey from Haggerty to Warren and Kendal from Warren to the railroad tracks. Manor from Haggerty to Warren will have water main and asphalt resurfacing done, Ruby from Schaefer Road to Oakman Boulevard will have concrete curb and asphalt resurfacing work done, Anthony from Warren to the railroad tracks will have water main and concrete curb work done, Opal Drive at Prospect will have only asphalt resurfacing, Williamson from Henn to 500 feet south will have water main and concrete curb work, and Prospect from Greenfield to 300 feet west of Schlaff will have concrete curb and asphalt resurfacing done.
Lastly, work on the street Elmdale from Outer Drive to Edna will consist of water main construction, storm sewer, concrete curb and asphalt resurfacing.
Pine from Carlysle to southbound Southfield Service Drive will have water main construction, concrete curb and asphalt resurfacing work done. Asphalt resurfacing and water main replacements will also take place on Christine Court and on Prospect from Charles to Schlaff.
During the presentation some of the questions asked by residents were about the next steps and schedule for the projects, landscaping, pedestrian safety, tree replacement, parking and access to streets, property damage, and construction timeline.
In regards to landscaping and tree replacement, each house will be required to have a tree following construction regardless if there was one beforehand.
Tree replacement will be done by the city and residents will be able to select the type of tree planted at their house. Also, an effort to save trees will be made to the greatest extent before they are replaced, Murray said.
The water main project is state-mandated and all cities must company with the rule by 2038 to replace water service lines that are made out of lead.
Prior to Former Gov. Rick Snyder signing a Lead and Copper rule in June 2018 the city would replace the lead water lines up to the property address or easement.
Now, cities are required to replace all the way up to the water meter inside the house in order to continue providing safe and clean water.
Patel said a program to allow residents to replace their water main at their own expense could be established by the city in the future.
With construction scheduled to begin in the spring, it was suggested that residents should take photos of the interior and exterior of their houses to document conditions before in case of property damage.
Any claims of property damage due to construction will be sent to the city’s legal department to be addressed.
The city plans to work with residents and contractor to minimize the inconveniences for residents in regards to project construction associated with parking, traffic flow and other inconveniences.
Some of the inconveniences residents mentioned at the meeting were deliveries to houses, access to parking, garbage day and accommodations for ADA individuals. Patel said the city is aware of those concerns and that work should be done on every other street to alleviate possible issues.
Next steps for the projects will be to visit each house that will be impacted and discuss plans. Residents in the construction areas were notified via mail by the city regarding the projects.
“The federal mandate requires City of Dearborn to prevent untreated sewage from entering the Rouge River which has happened at times during storm events due to the original design of our sewer system,” the letter read. “The purpose of the CSO program is to improve the water quality in the Rouge River and create a recreational resource for all of our residents.
“The investment will provide more effective and efficient drainage of rain water. It will remove sanitary sewage from the combined sewer system, which will prevent basements flooding and sanitary sewage from entering the Rouge River during a storm.”
Funds for the water main replacement project will come from the water rates system; the CSO funding will come from the CSO millage with a property tax of .22 mills voters approved in August 2018; and the asphalt funding source is from the gas tax money the state allocates and sends to each community.
For updates and more information on the construction go to www.cityofdearborn.org.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])