The city will make preventive repairs on the Factory Street bridge in summer 2011.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

The City of Ypsilanti's Department of Public Services received a “Project of the Year” award from the American Public Works Association Downriver Chapter for its two main summer road construction projects.

The APWA recognized the Mansfield Street and College Place projects, which were collaborations among several entities involving both roadwork and water main replacements.

The association recognizes the region’s top projects that “demonstrate unusual accomplishments, innovative techniques, exceptional effort and/or time and money saving techniques, good management techniques and overall project accomplishments.”

Stan Kirton, director of Ypsilanti public services, said the association favors collaborative projects. The Mansfield project was completed under the direction of the city, but also included participation and contributions from the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority and Ypsilanti Public Schools.

In that project, the city repaved a stretch of Mansfield Street between Congress Street and Westmoorland Street and installed sidewalks in front of Ypsilanti Middle School. The YCUA put in new water mains and a stormwater system. The effort totaled $860,000. American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds covered the city’s portion of $557,000, while the YCUA contributed $303,000.

The department also received recognition for its work repaving the stretch College Place between Cross Street and Forest Avenue. Eastern Michigan University installed brick-patterned crosswalks at each end of the block, and the YCUA also replaced water mains along the block.

The city’s portion of the project totaled $200,000 and was covered by ARRA funds, the YCUA contributed $81,000, and EMU spent $60,000.

“It’s always nice to be recognized by your peers for your efforts” Kirton said. “A lot of people see the road done, and they don’t know who's behind it. We’re not looking for recognition but it's nice to receive.”

The state chapter of the APWA is also considering the projects for its “Project of the Year” award.

The Department of Public Services is also planning one of this summer’s road construction projects. The city is using Michigan Department of Transportation local bridge program funds to help pay for preventive maintenance work on the Factory Street bridge. The bridge crosses the Huron River directly in front of the Visteon plant.

The city will fund an estimated $107,000 of the $265,000 project. The project will involve providing a new layer of asphalt with waterproof sealant, expansion joint replacement, approach work, guard rail modifications and riprap replacement.

The council approved a proposal at its Tuesday meeting to have OHM Engineering manage the project.

Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.