Repaving projects on Flintridge and Pine Tree roads, agreed upon this past May by the Orion Township Board, could begin as early as this spring.
The projects are likely to cost slightly less than the early estimates indicated, but it appears the township will be responsible for a little more than previously anticipated.
Total cost for the two projects is roughly $614,900, and the township will seek bids after the Oakland County Road Commission drafts a funding agreement.
Township engineers from Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc., presented the board with two avenues to fund the projects at their Dec. 4 meeting, but the board stuck by their original formula.
That formula includes $323,747 of 2007 tri-party funds and $30,000 in drainage funds, leaving the total township cost (coming from the General Capital Improvement Fund and including the required match) at $261,153.
The second option involved using 2008 tri-party funds to pay for some of the costs, but the board wanted that money to stay for future projects.
One such project that board members expressed some interest in was Miller Road, between Orion and Conklin roads.
Trustees John Garlicki and Matt Gibb spoke to drainage issues along that stretch.
‘I’ve seen elementary school children walking along the street there,? Gibb said of the drainage problem along the walkways.
Garlicki asked to meet with OHM officials to point out the problems spots on the half-mile stretch of road.
Another project the board has mentioned in the past few months is Clarkston Road, from M-24 to Parkview, where a homeowners association expressed interest in seeing a paving project done.
The tri-party funds that will be used for the Flintridge and Pine Tree projects were originally slated for a drainage improvement project on Grampian.
Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said they are still unable to acquire an easement from a property owner along the project line.