Goodrich- It’s springtime in the village and soon the orange cones of construction will be in full bloom.
Construction on the Erie Street Safety Project began April 16. Projects focusing on Hegel Road and the Hegel Road Bridge are set to follow quickly thereafter, and there is even an end in sight for the issues with the pathway.
The construction projects have ‘all been approved and the current projects have the contractors all ready. As of right now we don’t see any issues with those at all,? said Village Council President Ed York.
However, the council has reason to be a bit gun-shy about entering into a new slew of road-related endeavors, following the litany of problems that surrounded the construction of a pathway along Hegel Road.
Construction of the paved, non-motorized pathway bordering Hegel Road west of the Goodrich Country Club to Oaktree Elementary was completed in September of last year, more than a year later than originally planned.
The project was rife with difficulties as accusations of fault were volleyed between engineers Wade Trim and contractor, Oakland Excavating Company of Pontiac. The pathway was constructed at an estimated cost of $403,400, including the village paying $80,700 in matching funds and Atlas Township paying an estimated $30,000.
Village Administrator Jakki Sidge said Wade Trim’representing the village? and Oakland Excavating met with a mediator from the Michigan Department of Transportation on April 16. The representative listened as both sides pleaded their case, with the village seeking liquidated damages.
‘They have 30 days to make a decision,? said Sidge of MDOT.
And while the long and winding story of the pathway is likely to have seen its final chapter in a meeting with the Michigan Department of Transportation on April 16, for some residents, the ghosts of construction past still resonate too strongly to enter into new projects without some trepidation.
Council meetings of late have seen residents posing questions about where the pathway project went wrong, and how such mistakes can be prevented from happening again.
York has said numerous times that while ‘with the system as it is? it isn’t possible for the council to guarantee there will never be a repeat of the pathway debacle, the council is now at least aware of warning signs and has improved communications with all involved to catch any issues before they have escalated beyond repair.
Sidge said though the relationship between the village and Erie St. project contractor Goretski’s Construction Company, Inc., of Milford has been brief, the company has thus far done well communicating with the village.
‘His proposed schedule is ahead of the time frame that was allotted,? said Sidge of the contractor. Sidge added current plans have the project completed by Memorial Day.
In December of last year, a safety grant was awarded to the village by MDOT to improve the entire intersection of Erie Street and M-15, as opposed to the original plan of only installing a right-hand turn lane. Approximately 200 feet of road will be reconstructed at an approximate cost of $180,000, with the village responsible for approximately $32,000. Additionally, the council granted $42,750 to Wade Trim for engineering costs for the project.
Councilperson Patty Wartella has voiced opposition to entering into any new construction projects with village engineer Wade Trim, but other members have said that to forego progress because of fear of problems would be a mistake.
At least one aspect of the upcoming construction season is sure to please residents who have been clamoring for a light at the intersection of M-15 and Erie Street; a temporary traffic signal is set to be installed in the intersection May 1, said Wade Trim representative Becky Baker.
The signal’or lack thereof? has been a source of ire for many in the village for some time. There is currently a flashing light at the intersection. After two informal counts and two Michigan Department of Transportation traffic counts last year, MDOT officials determined the intersection wasn’t sufficiently dangerous to warrant a light.
York has gone on record voicing concern over the sight-distance problem at the intersection presented by a nearby steep hill.
Ultimately, York said he believes any difficulties posed by the upcoming roadwork will be far outweighed by increased safety for residents.
‘Anytime there’s going to be construction there’s going to be some inconveniences,? said York, ‘but when it’s done it will be much nicer.?