Ortonville-A public information meeting will be scheduled in January to discuss improvements to South Street.
Final recommendations for South Street will be submitted to the Michigan Department of Transportation who will take bids for the project in April.
Village manager Paul Zelenak said work is expected to begin in June and be completed by August and will include milling and resurfacing South Street from the South Street Bridge over Kearsley Creek to Mill Street, as well as resurfacing or replacing certain drive approaches. Sidewalks will be raised and parallel parking will also be added for safety. This improvement will be cause for minor grading on the adjoining properties. Minor sewer improvements are also planned.
‘Aesthetically, (the project) will be immense,? Zelenak said. South Street is a gateway to the community.?
He said that safety is also a major issue and noted that when it rains, the water pools on the west side of the road.
‘The Department of Public Works has to constantly do maintenance there because of ice and freezing, thawing cycles,? Zelenak said. ‘They’re continually filling potholes because the water doesn’t have anywhere to go. The project will improve drainage.?
Zelenak estimates total construction costs for the project will be $200,000, including engineering costs. The state will reimburse the village for the majority of this cost, with the village covering 20 percent, mostly with ACT 51 funds received from the gas tax.
During the project, some intermittent lane or road closures may happen says Zelenak.
‘The project is necessary for safety. With the number of residents and visitors that traverse that road to have a safe road is important.?