$2.9M upgrade coming next year for Packard Road in Ann Arbor

Packard is scheduled for construction from May through August 2012. City officials said the work will be phased so half the road will be under construction while the remainder will be used to maintain two lanes of two-way traffic throughout the construction zone.

The street will be resurfaced, curbs will be replaced where needed, and sidewalk ramps will be upgraded to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Homayoon Pirooz, head of the city's project management unit.

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, Pirooz said. Also included is the replacement of the guardrails and north pedestrian walkway underneath the US-23 bridge.

Residents and business owners in the area have said the bike path and pedestrian walkway have been dangerous and in need of repairs for some time.

Funds for the work on Packard, as well as upgrades to Hill Street, 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.

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.