The PAKA Trail, a new non-motorized mixed-use trail connecting New Leaf Park and Park Road at Sharp Park School is nearing completion. The 1.1 mile concrete path will connect with a new Summit Township trail, extending from Sharp Park School to Weatherwax Road. The Summit Township trail is expected to be completed later this summer.
City of Jackson Engineer Jon Dowling said the PAKA Trail should be completed within the next two weeks. Engineers are currently re-designing the intersection of Horton Road, Hickory and Park Road to accommodate the connection of the two trails. Because of revisions, that portion, phase 2, of the project will be completed by the end of July.
Crews are working to place concrete at intersections along the trail, and grading of the soil is occurring in and around Ella Sharp Park. Portions of the concrete trail need to be installed, as well as landscaping, which includes leveling the lawns on either side of the trail and planting grass.
Once the trail is complete, a second phase will begin to correct the Park, Horton and Hickory intersection. The plans for the intersection are currently in the engineering phase.
Other city construction projects:
E Michigan Avenue between Cooper and Dwight (MDOT)
Work on E. Michigan Avenue is now complete and all lanes are open to thru traffic.
W Michigan Avenue between Brown and Steward (MDOT)
Work on this MDOT administered project to replace water mains, sewers, sidewalks and reconstruct the road with new curb and gutters and concrete pavement continues on schedule.
All water mains along the stretch of W. Michigan Ave. have been installed, with contractors now working to connect the main and sanitary sewer to homes and businesses along that stretch. This work to connect the new lines to properties along W. Michigan Ave. will continue for the next couple of weeks. Other crews are working to install service hookups to the water mains that have passed testing as well as the city-wide distribution system.
Electrical crews worked to install the bases for traffic signal arms at the intersection of West Avenue and Michigan Avenue, and continue to make their way east along W. Michigan Ave. Crews have made their way to Steward and are continuing east along Louis Glick Highway.
Kibby Road between West Avenue and City Limits
This project consists of
1) removal and replacement of the pavement on the south side of the Kibby Road boulevard with new gravel base and hot mix asphalt,
2) removal of the curb and pavement on the north side,
3) construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Kibby and Denton and
4) construction of a new non-motorized mixed-use trail with a concrete surface in the location of the former north side of the Kibby Road boulevard.
Plans and specifications have been finalized. The project has not yet been advertised for bids as the funding for the project has been temporarily delayed due to the federal budgeting process. Federal funds are set to be earmarked for this project next week, and the bids for the project will go out in August.
As a result, the tentative start date of August has been delayed until this fall, with the work on the paving and non-motorized trail set for this fall and the roundabout construction scheduled for the spring of 2018.
Washington Avenue between Jackson and Francis
Up to two lanes of the three lanes on Washington Avenue between Jackson and Francis streets will close periodically for crews to install a new concrete sanitary sewer pipe in the alley adjacent to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
The old pipe, made of brick, is in need of an upgrade. The project will likely finish ahead of schedule, with the lanes along Washington Avenue open early next week.
