You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Mon, May 16, 2011 : 5:57 a.m.

Orange barrel alert: Utility work to close lanes on Huron Street in Ann Arbor all summer

By Cindy Heflin

051211-AJC-huron-constructiion.jpg

Get used to the orange barrels along this section of Huron Street in Ann Arbor. They will be there all summer.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Maintenance on University of Michigan utility tunnels is creating traffic headaches for motorists along Huron Street in Ann Arbor east of downtown. And those headaches are going to last for a while.

The project has Huron Street down to one lane in each direction from North Thayer Street to Zina Pitcher Place. Those lane closures will continue through the duration of the two-phase project, scheduled to wrap up around the first of September, said John Brink a civil engineer for the Project Management Division of Ann Arbor.

During the first phase of the project, which started last week, Fletcher Street is restricted to one-way southbound traffic only from Huron Street to Washington Street, Brink said. That's resulting in blocks-long backups during peak hours.

During the second phase of the project, when workers will move a bit to the west, Fletcher will be open but traffic restrictions on Huron Street will remain.

The lanes are closed so that workers can make repairs on the tunnels that carry various utility lines, including those for communications and electricity, Brink said.


View Huron Street Construction in a larger map

Comments

Cindy Heflin

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.

The work on Catherine Street is a water main replacement project. Catherine Street will be closed through June from Zina Pitcher Place to Glen Avenue, according to the city's website: <a href="http://www.a2gov.org/Alerts/Pages/EventRoadClosuresandDetours.aspx" rel='nofollow'>http://www.a2gov.org/Alerts/Pages/EventRoadClosuresandDetours.aspx</a>. Traffic on Catherine Street is being directed to East Ann Street and Glen Avenue. During the construction, two-way traffic is being allowed on Zina Pitcher from E. Ann Street to Catherine Street, according to information on the website.

Ignatz

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.

Ahhhhhhhhh, that's the cause of the hassles.

BillieR

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.

&quot;The project has Huron Street down to one [what, one lane, I think?] in each direction from North Thayer Street to Zina Pitcher Place.&quot; Maybe someone could mark the affected parts of Catherine, etc., on the map, as well...?

grye

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 12:55 p.m.

That would be at Fletcher.

grye

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 12:54 p.m.

You would think the city would adjust the traffic signal at the Power Center since there is a short section of street that is one way off of Huron. The traffic light is still changing to allow traffic that cannot come up to Huron.

a2grateful

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.

Good to see someone improving infrastructure . . . Go Blue . . . (go orange (barrels)) ! : )

Charles Weaver

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 11:45 a.m.

Catherine is also closed in the same area.

Steve Pepple

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 11:45 a.m.

The story has been corrected. Thanks for pointing out the error.

jcj

Mon, May 16, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.

This is EAST of downtown!