Progress continues on construction projects in the City of Jackson with one project, the PAKA non-motorized trail, now scheduled for completion within the next three weeks.
Here is a summary of all current projects:
Jackson, Mechanic and Francis Streets between Washington and Glick
This project was also substantially completed and opened to traffic in the fall of 2016. Work on improved turf establishment by applying new topsoil, seed and mulch was completed last week. The planting of trees is scheduled for the coming weeks.
Trees for both Mechanic Street and Jackson Street projects have been delivered and will be planted in the coming weeks.
E Michigan Avenue between Cooper and Dwight (MDOT)
This Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) administered project consists of
1) upgrading sidewalk ramps at each intersection within the construction zone to comply with current Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards,
2) removing the street surface with a mill, and
3) repaving the pavement surface with new hot mix asphalt.
Work to replace and upgrade ramps and sidewalks on both the north and south sides of the street is now complete. Repaving the street is also complete.
In the next couple of days, crews will paint crosswalk stripes and the project will be complete.
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 apace.
Installing the new water main along the street is set to be complete soon, with testing of portions of the main ongoing and in different states of completion. Mains between Brown and West passed the test recently to allow for the safe flow of water to homes and businesses, along with the portion between Fourth and West. The remaining portion of the water main which runs along W. Michigan Ave. needs to be installed in some small portions and tested in others.
Other crews are working to install service hookups to the water mains that have passed testing as well as the city-wide distribution system.
Sanitary sewer work began this week, and is scheduled to continue through the month of June.
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 are also working to install new bases for the mast arms that will hold the new traffic signals set to be installed along the downtown business loop including Washington Ave. and 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.
PAKA Trail between Sharp Park School and New Leaf Park
This project will construct a new non-motorized mixed-use trail with a concrete surface between New Leaf Park located at the intersection of Fourth Street and the City’s MLK Equality Trail and Park Road at Sharp Park School.
Crews are working to placing concrete along the trail and grading of the soil is occurring in and around Ella Sharp Park. The trail is in various states of completion, with an end date likely by the end of June or early July.
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.
Jackson, Mechanic and Francis Streets between Washington and Glick
This project was also substantially completed and opened to traffic in the fall of 2016. Work on improved turf establishment by applying new topsoil, seed and mulch was completed last week. The planting of trees is scheduled for the coming weeks.
Trees for both Mechanic Street and Jackson Street projects have been delivered and will be planted in the coming weeks.
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 continue for the next couple of weeks.