The MDOT approved Hoffman Bros.’ request to suspend this weekend’s Michigan International Speedway race rules in part. The MDOT’s revised rules include: Thursday 8/25: Normal workday until 1 PM, after 1 PM, work can continue, but, no construction equipment to interfere with westbound traffic, Friday 8/26-Normal workday until 1 PM, after 1 PM, work can continue, but, no construction equipment to interfere with westbound traffic, Saturday 8/27-No work, Sunday 8/28- No work and Monday 8/29- Normal workday.
We reported last week that Hoffman Bros. was scheduled to complete this phase of the Michigan Ave project on the south side and that they planned to flip to the north side to begin that phase of the project as of Tuesday, August 30th. However, some work items were not completed as originally planned causing the Hoffman Bros. to schedule the flip to the north side on Wednesday, August 31st.
City staff has been notified by the MDOT that the traffic signal at Old Creek and Henry has been corrected, by temporarily eliminating the dedicated left turn arrow for eastbound traffic. When the Old Creek/Michigan Ave intersection is opened back up next week, the temporary traffic signal at Old Creek and Henry will go back to the way it was with the dedicated left turn arrow for eastbound vehicles.
The City of Saline is selling pieces of the old street car tracks on a first come first served basis at City Hall, for those folks that would like to own a piece of Saline history. The cost is $25 for a 12” section of track; a portion of the proceeds will be used to pay for the cost of cutting up the track with the balance going towards a fundraiser to assist in paying for the new downtown streetscape.
Week of August 29th
Traffic Information
The next major traffic shift for the Michigan Ave project is scheduled for Wednesday, August 31st. The westbound Michigan Ave traffic will be flipped to the south side of the road so work can begin on the north half of Michigan Ave. As a result of this, all Michigan Ave intersections, on both the north and south sides will be open along the entire construction zone (from Mills east to Old Creek/Maple). Also, the S. Ann Arbor intersection will be opened back up to traffic as of the evening of Tuesday, August 30th.
City staff encourages everyone to slow down, be patient and obey the traffic signs. In addition, please do not take short-cuts through private property in an attempt to avoid the current traffic shifts/detour routes, as it is illegal and unsafe. And please pause to let people out of their driveways.
Pedestrian Traffic
Good news! The pedestrian access from the bridge east towards downtown is open. Some, but not all of the concrete path has been installed. In an attempt to provide pedestrian access for residents west of the bridge, the contractor has put in asphalt for a temporary path in a few locations to complete the pedestrian access route. The temporary asphalt patches will be replaced with concrete later in the project. Access to businesses will continue to be maintained. Please follow the signs, obey the barricades, and watch your step. Pedestrian detours may change periodically for the duration of the project, depending on the specific work that is being done. Please pay attention to the pedestrian detour signs and follow them accordingly.
There are parts of the construction zone that are not open to pedestrian traffic. There are also signs designating alternate pedestrian routes throughout the construction zone. Please obey the signs and seek alternate pedestrian routes that don’t include walking down the middle of re-routed traffic lanes.
Construction Activities
Monday and Tuesday: finish the first two layers of asphalt along the south half of Michigan Ave in order to flip to the north half on Wednesday, August 31st. There will also be concrete, brick and top soil work taking place.
Wednesday: Traffic shift to detour westbound Michigan Ave traffic to the south side of Michigan Ave.
Thursday and Friday: asphalt milling, tree removal and pavement removal.
Note: MDOT rules require that the contractor must stop work by 3pm on Friday, September 2nd due to the Labor Day weekend. The contractor will return to work on Tuesday, September 6th.
