Packard Road construction in Ann Arbor might be finished by end of August, but schedule says September
A nearly $3 million project to repave Packard Road in Ann Arbor is nearing completion and there's a chance it might be done before the end of this month.
Homayoon Pirooz, head of the city's project management unit, said construction is scheduled for completion in September, but if all goes well it might be complete by the end of August.
Homayoon Pirooz
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
In case anyone recently saw what might have looked like crews removing new pavement, Pirooz said that probably was the removal of pavement wedges that were used temporarily for traffic maintenance.
"I don’t believe there have been any issues with the pavement," he said in an email to AnnArbor.com on Friday afternoon. "At this time the asphalt wedges that were put in for shifting the traffic from one side to the other side of the street are being removed, for the traffic to stay on the south side only."
The Ann Arbor City Council unanimously approved an agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation last October for the resurfacing of Packard from Platt to US-23.
The breakdown provided to MDOT shows about $1.19 million is expected to come from federal funds, $1.33 million from the city's street millage and $845,000 from the city's water fund.
The work has been phased so half the road would be under construction while the remainder would be used to maintain two lanes of two-way traffic throughout the construction zone.
In addition to street resurfacing, curbs are being replaced where needed and sidewalk ramps are being upgraded to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
Due to many breaks, the project also includes the replacement of the existing underground water main with a new 12-inch main from Platt to US-23. Also included is the replacement of the guardrails and north pedestrian walkway underneath the US-23 bridge.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
kraiford12
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.
If you're going west to east near the intersection, just cut through Easy St. / Chesterfield Dr. roads that go north and drop you off down Platt a bit near Scheffler Park. Ya know, the ones that say "local traffic only". I find it funny that Easy street was privileged enough to have nice cobblestone accents, a custom "welcome to easy street sign" and that whole block of roads plastered with "local traffic only" signs. How come that corner of the construction gets those and not the others? There are three more corners of neighborhoods that get just a much cut through traffic., but no special streets/signs. I cut through anyways since I consider the east side of Platt my local destination. Plus it's fun to read the signs the residents have posted outside.
AnnArborBuckeye
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 4:14 a.m.
Silly me. I saw all of those "local traffic only" signs and I thought there must be some construction going on there back in the old neighborhood. I feel hoodwinked. Makes me want to drive through there, just to see the signs the residents have put up.
AnnArborBuckeye
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 4:35 a.m.
I travel the entire stretch of this road every day. I am glad it is being reconstructed. It surely needed it. Sometimes, I see a lot of activity. Old pavement being dug up, new pavement being put down, curbs being replaced, holes being dug for underground work etc. But most days, there is very little going on and on many of those days, nothing is being done at all. Don't understand that.
motorcycleminer
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.
Who's kidding who ? this is an Ann Arbor road project..while you anticipating it being done in sept . ( good luck ) I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale ..how quickly we must forget 5th ave , stadium . liberty , the list is endless not to mention our own brooklyn ( broadway ) bridge ...here in OZ a deadline is only a suggestion...
Brad
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.
Now is September the schedule for the "Grand Opening", or for when cars will actually be able to drive on it?
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
I don't know about you cynics but i look forward to pictures of some political uppity ups standing around with hard hats, shovels and a ribbon cutting pair of scissors.
arborani
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.
Garage Mahal reference FTW.
Shlobodon Dobodon
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
So what your saying is... it's going to take until January.
Sooze
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.
First there was one loooong line with left turn lane at Platt only at the very end, and that made people cut thru the neighborhoods. Then there were two: much better. Now there is one again and once more we have to wait until the very last second to get into the left turn lane. Lets have two lanes again!!
Brad
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.
I just went through there and you are correct on all counts. I'll go back to avoiding the intersection entirely while that's going on.
local
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.
Would be even better if people coming from packard/eisenhower area would get over and not fly up the lane and expect to be let over at the last minute. Traffic in that direction doesn't have a left turn lane right now at platt and packard so it is truly down to one lane. Yet we still have a huge number of people who see the back up, fly into the other lane and expect to be let over. Drive this daily, extremely annoying. Will be happy when this construction is done!!
Skyjockey43
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
I see the other side of the merge issue here. Too many people are not paying attention while sitting in the backup and then leave huge gaps between cars. This only serves to 1) encourage people to speed up in the adjacent lane and zip into the gap and 2) allow fewer cars to get through each green light interval. There is nothing more aggravating than to sit in line only to have to go through another light cycle because the guy in front of you was too busy with his ever so important phone call to pay attention to the big green light in front of him
JRW
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
"Would be even better if people coming from packard/eisenhower area would get over and not fly up the lane and expect to be let over at the last minute." This happens everywhere when there is a decrease from two lanes to one lane in a construction zone. There are a lot of people, many (not all) who aggressively drive large vehicles such as pick-up trucks or large luxury vehicles, feel entitled to get where they are going ahead of everyone else and squeeze into merging lanes ahead of long lines of cars that have been waiting. Aggressive, entitled drivers create the problem.
JerryL
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
@RWS. Amen.
RunsWithScissors
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:53 p.m.
It's cold comfort, but I tell myself there's a special place reserved in Hades for drivers who do that.
craigjjs
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.
I live in the area. They have done a pretty good job of managing the traffic given the scope of the project. It is, of course, an inconvenience, but it can't be avoided. To those whining about the inconvenience, move near the Stadium bridge and see if you are happier.
Leah Gunn
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
@skyjockey - of ocurse it would have been easier to have a four way intersection, and it was looked into. The railroad would not allow it. NOT the city's fault!
Skyjockey43
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
Also, do you think the good Congressman would have been in favor of the cheaper option of replacing the bridge with a four way intersection? So much easier to spend other peoples' money ain't it?
Skyjockey43
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.
Oh yes let's all cheer on the Congressman for contributing even more to the already ridiculously gargantuan 16 TRILLION dollar federal debt to ensure his own midterm election victory. I'm sure everyone around the country is just pleased as punch to know that their tax dollars are going to pay for a bridge in Ann Arbor that the city has neglected for 30 years. Especially when most other cities are in far worse economic shape than the PRofA2
Leah Gunn
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.
Not only is it the Stadium Bridge, but also the construction on E. Stadium between Packard and Brockman. I am just glad that the city is getting it done, with many thanks to Cong. Dingell for getting the bridge money. Yes, I live on Stadium.
dave french
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 11:55 a.m.
All in all, I think they've done a pretty good job of keeping traffic flowing and inconvenience to a minimum. I do feel for the merchants taking a big hit during the project..
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 11:55 a.m.
I live just a couple blocks from Packard and Platt. For me its been surprising how smooth its been in my personal experience. I doubt its added 2-3 minutes to my travel time to Krogers on Carpenter at 5PM. That would be me heading south on Platt and turning east on Packard.
Sarah
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 11:46 a.m.
I was super unexcited to see that they are getting ready to pave the north side of Packard... except that they left it a two lane road with no turn lane for the entire weekend. Good thing it's summer, but the timing is pretty awful.
Arieswoman
Sat, Aug 4, 2012 : 10:48 a.m.
Those of us who live in this area will be really glad when this project is completed. It is a real pain. I feel sorry for the businesses that have lost business due to this construction! They finally made the left turn lane going north from Packard longer due to traffic back ups. Those folks who made their streets for local traffic only forget we all pay for our streets and those signs won't stop me from driving through side streets. Yes, I drive slowly too when I drive the side streets!
Ann English
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 12:07 a.m.
The side streets on the north side of Packard at least, have speed bumps. What businesses are you thinking of, Gold Star Mortgage? Or are businesses on the south side of Packard losing customers, such as the foot & ankle treatment office? The conditions haven't stopped me at all from going to 3830 Packard. It is good to see solid pavement leading to Brandywine, Maplewood, and other side streets north of Packard; earlier, we had to drive over some dirt to get to them.