Construction-related closures announced for Carpenter, Platt roads in Pittsfield Township
Two construction-related road closures in Pittsfield Township are slated to begin Saturday.
Northbound traffic on Carpenter Road south of Washtenaw Avenue will be closed starting around 9 p.m. Saturday. The closure is part of MDOT's project on the nearby U.S. 23 interchange.
The posted detour is Packard Road to Golfside Road to Washtenaw Avenue.
The temporary road closure will remain in effect until approximately 3 a.m. Monday.
Officials want the public to be advised that due to weather conditions, all dates are tentative and subject to change.
Asphalt paving on Platt Road from Textile to Ellsworth also will start Saturday.
Cadillac Asphalt, LLC and the Washtenaw County Road Commission will be doing the paving, which is expected to take approximately five working days.
Traffic will be restricted to one lane under flag control operations during the day while work is occurring. There will still be access for residents, businesses and deliveries, but delays are likely.
The dates are tentative and the asphalt paving operations are weather dependent.
To maintain the safety of road crews, motorists are asked to be especially mindful of construction equipment and personnel and reduce speeds accordingly, the Washtenaw County Road Commission said in a news release.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Frank Lee
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
As other commenters have asked…Why is this stretch of Platt being repaved? It is in excellent shape compared to the majority of roads in the area. Who makes these decisions? Ironically, the section of Carpenter road that is being closed so MDOT can work on the nearby U.S. 23 interchange is in desperate need of repaving.
Sparty
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
For those of you who haven't followed the repeated news articles on this topic, this work is being done for a variety of reasons: the road was in bad condition, there was critical water and utility infrastructure work underneath that fed the city that was collapsing, and there were safety reasons such as bridge support and sidewalk improvements required to be in compliance with the ADA. Hope this helps.
Frank Lee
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.
Where are these repeated news articles you speak of? I follow the news daily and couldn't find any related articles when searching. You must be thinking of a different stretch of Platt or a different road all together. This stretch of Platt road is not in bad condition and there are no sidewalks or bridges.
jmac
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:21 p.m.
I suggest people who currently use Platt Road traveling southbound to get to Michigan Avenue or to turn onto Morgan as a short cut to State Street use a different parallel street (Carpenter to Michigan Avenue, or deal with the traffic on State all the way through). I am sure Platt will be SLOWWW during this since it's only a 2-lane road with no middle turn lane except in 1 or 2 spots near subdivisions. AND...I agree with einy, most of Platt is in great shape, much better than some other heavily-traveled roads in Ann Arbor and Pittsfield that could really use re-surfacing.
RunsWithScissors
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
FYI Morgan is a dirt road with ruts and washboards (you'll know what I mean when you ride over 'em). There's also wild life back there. For the sake of the wild animals, your car's suspension and the residents along that road: Please slow down. Enjoy the view. Get to work in a good mood.
einy
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 5:09 a.m.
Why is that stretch of Platt even being paved? That stretch is in great shape.
Basic Bob
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:06 a.m.
I agree, there's plenty worse stretches of road.
treetowncartel
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
The Washtenaw/Carpenter/US 23 intersection needs to be redone entirely. Particularly, if they are going to promote pedestrian and bike traffic along Washtenaw and Carpenter
motorcycleminer
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:10 p.m.
Bike traffic on washtenaw...hope your life insurance is paid up
Ann English
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
From the description of the posted detour, it sounds like Carpenter between Packard and Washtenaw is the only part of Carpenter that will be worked on. I'd like to see the southbound lanes of that stretch of Carpenter resurfaced. I avoid the Washtenaw/Carpenter/US-23 intersection coming from the south because the left turn light takes so long to turn green for either westbound lane. So I don't use those northbound lanes that will be closed Saturday.
MRunner73
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
It might be needed but I am more than ready for all of this to end for the rest of the year. So how much funding came into the State of Michigan for all of this? Does money grow on trees? Maybe all of these construction projects are being done for free.
LaMusica
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
I hope Packard Rd. construction is done soon, I am so sick of waiting patiently in the right lane to continue east on Packard, as dozens of impatient *enter strong word here* zoom by in the left lane that ends, and expect to cut over at the last minute. On the other hand, the repaving so far looks great. Good job to the road crews out there.
A2transplant
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
While I tend to merge early (like many posters here) to avoid the stress later, merging at the last minute is actually supported in many studies as a more efficient use of highway space. It's called the "zipper method." Take from it what you will, but here is a link (hoping I am allowed to post one) to a series of studies on the matter: http://drmomentum.com/aces/archives/003800.html
PittsfieldTwp
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.
It is frustrating when others cut in. However, a study done by MDOT and other states as well says things would flow much better if BOTH LANES were used all the way until the end provided traffic was using them slowly. Its a matter of capacity. Two lanes hold more traffic than one. When everyone mergers over too soon, traffic backs up and slows down. Here is the official study on this topic and what MDOT has tried to work around the issue: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/08-15219_MDOT_Research_Spotlight_DLLMS_web_249920_7.pdf
JRW
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 2:08 a.m.
I agree, LaMusica. Lots of arrogant drivers around A2.
LaMusica
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:54 a.m.
town and Urban, me too! I start cursing and my voice gets all high, haha. But it's soooo frustrating!
Urban Sombrero
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 12:26 a.m.
@LaMusica...SING IT! That is so annoying and, frankly, RUDE of people! And, @towncryer, I don't get it, either. In fact, I sit in my car and curse the drivers who let others in under my breath. It's ridiculous! Today, my fiance and I were trying to get home on Ellsworth. We turned onto it from State, heading to Platt. There was a semi truck ahead of us who was moving, predictably, slow. People from behind us (and, not just 1 car. I counted at least 6) cut into the left hand turn lane, sped up and then cut right back into our lane in front of the semi, bypassing traffic. I was LIVID! The entitlement attitude of some drivers in this town KILLS me! It's ridiculous. (My fiance tells me I'm going to have a heart attack from stressing about it. He's probably right, lol.)
towncryer
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : midnight
I know, that is so aggravating, and people always let them in! I do not understand the "i'm special" mentality of some drivers.
linuxtuxguy
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
Confusing things a bit, it's actually Northbound Carpenter SOUTH of Washtenaw, since North of Washtenaw the road becomes hogback
John Counts
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.
The language was a bit muddled. My apologies. I've since changed it to read "northbound traffic south of Washtenaw Avenue ..." I hope that is more clear.