Hill Street to see improvements next year, Ann Arbor officials say

Homayoon Pirooz, head of the city's project management unit, said the resurfacing of Hill Street from South Forest to Washtenaw Avenue will include curb replacement where needed and sidewalk ramp upgrades.

Construction is expected to last from June through July 2012. During construction, one lane of eastbound traffic will be maintained through the construction zone and westbound traffic will be detoured via Washtenaw Avenue to South Forest.

Funds for the work — part of $3.4 million in upgrades planned for Hill and Packard Road — are approved in the city's fiscal year 2011-12 budget. City officials said the completed plans were submitted to MDOT in July for a bid letting on Oct. 7.

A cost breakdown submitted to MDOT shows $212,448 of the Hill Street upgrades are expected to be paid using federal funds, while $238,117 is coming from the street millage.

MDOT is awarding the contract and the city is acting as the project engineer.

The agreement with the state was required so the project can be performed as a federal aid project.