The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) started repairs Monday, March 12, on the US-131 bridges over Cedar Springs Avenue in Cedar Springs.

Construction will include repaving, joint replacement, painting, substructure repairs, and approach work. The $1.9 million investment is scheduled for completion by Friday, June 29.

During construction, at least one lane of US-131 will remain open in each direction. Cedar Springs Avenue traffic will be maintained with a temporary traffic signal.

This work will extend the life of the bridges and improve motorist safety with an increase in surface friction.

To download a Michigan road construction map for 2018, go to http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT_C_MapWeb-2011_350547_7.pdf.

By Judy Reed

There are several road construction updates from the Michigan Department of Transportation that drivers will want to be aware of.

Paving on 17 Mile

Sept. 15-17: MDOT will be paving the interchange area on 17 Mile Road (M-46) between Edgerton Ave. and White Creek Ave. starting Friday, Sept. 15 at 7 a.m. to Sunday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. Both directions of 17 Mile Rd. will be maintained in a single lane with flag control for paving.

Ramp closure

Sept. 15-16: The off ramp from southbound US-131 to 17 Mile Road will close for road work 6 a.m. this Friday, Sept. 15, through 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.

Resurfacing of US-131 from Sand Lake to Pierson

Sept. 11-October 6: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will invest $1 million to resurface 4.2 miles of US-131 from the Kent/Montcalm county line (22 Mile Road) to Cannonsville Road.

At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Lane closures will not be in effect for northbound US-131 on Fridays, no lane closures on Saturdays for both bounds, and no lane closures will be in effect on Sundays for southbound US-131.

This project will improve and maintain a smooth driving surface as well as extend the service life of the roadway.

The project started on Monday, Sept. 11, and is expected to run through Friday, October 6.

10 Mile reconstruction project

Sept. 11-Oct. 31: This project includes 0.62 miles of hot mix asphalt cold milling and resurfacing and concrete divider removal on 10 Mile Road from the US-131 northbound ramps to east of Belmont Avenue, from east of Belmont Avenue to east of Meijer Drive and from Childsdale Avenue to Rogue River Bridge. A signal will also be removed from 10 Mile Road at Belmont Avenue.

Spot curb, gutter removal and replacement, and sidewalk ramp upgrades started Monday, September 11 on 10 Mile Road between US 131 and Thrifty Drive and between Childsdale Avenue and the Rogue River Bridge.

Cold-milling and HMA paving is scheduled for the week of September 18.

All work will be completed with lane closures, while maintaining two-way traffic (minimum of one lane in each direction) at all times.

Five new picnic tables were donated anonymously to Solon Township for Velzy Park. Courtesy photo.

Construction on a new walking trail is underway at Velzy Park, located at 15185 Algoma Ave NE. The park surrounds Solon Township Hall, and is named for what the area used to be called.

And that’s not the only thing that’s new. “Our Park Committee is very excited and thankful about 5 picnic tables that were anonymously donated to our Park a week or so ago,” said Mary Lou Poulsen, Solon Township Clerk, and a member of the Solon Park Committee.

On June 10, Solon will celebrate the new walking trail with a ribbon cutting, and a community-wide yard sale and picnic. The picnic will take place at noon, with the ribbon cutting and cake to follow. Suggested donations for the picnic will be $4 for individuals, and $10 for families.

A new walking trail is under construction at Solon’s Velzy Park. Courtesy photo.

The park is still in phase one, which features walking trails, a restroom building and parking. Phase two will be a playground and three barn relocations. Phase three will be the Farmer’s market and picnic shelter; and native prairie restoration.

Memorial benches will soon be available to purchase. Watch solontwp.org for info. If you’d like to make a tax deductible donation for the park, send it to Solon Township and designate it for Velzy Park.

Travelers should be aware that road construction started on Monday, August 8, on M-46 near Howard City.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will invest $2 million to resurface 2.4 miles of M-46 from west of US-131 to east of Federal Road, and add a center left-turn lane between US-131 and Edgar Road.

Lane closures under flag control will be in effect throughout the project.

The project is expected to be completed by Saturday, October 15.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced that construction on bridges over Rice Creek and Tamarack Creek on the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail in Howard City (Montcalm County) was set to begin Monday, Aug. 8.

The White Pine Trail is actively traveled by nonmotorized users throughout the year and snowmobile users during the winter months. Bridge construction will include abutment replacement and pier removal, as well as placement of a 60-foot prefabricated bridge over Rice Creek and an 84-foot prefabricated bridge over Tamarack Creek.

The White Pine Trail has been temporarily rerouted to Federal Road, bypassing both bridges. The detour is posted. Construction is anticipated to be completed in November.

Questions about the trail closure may be directed to Scott Slavin, DNR unit supervisor at White Pine Trail State Park, by calling 231-775-7911 or emailing slavins@michigan.gov.

From Friends of the White Pine Trail

In the southern area of the tail, in Plainfield Township, there will be trail disruptions during this summer and fall.

In Comstock Park there will be equipment in and adjacent to the trail due to sewer line work for the next few weeks, and possibly into the fall. Please be very careful in this area and do not interfere with the construction activity. If you encounter someone directing you around construction, please follow their directions.

Between Belmont and Rockford there will be some equipment on the trail for the next month or longer.  There will be persons directing traffic whenever there is equipment on the trail – please cooperate with these folks that are doing their best to keep the trail open, you safe, and get the project done. The Trail Will Not Be Closed For Extended Periods in this area unless there are unforseen circumstances.

If you have questions regarding trail conditions please contact us. We will do our best to keep everyone informed.

Check our FaceBook page for up-to-date information.

If you see any problems that you feel needs attention please contact us as soon as possible—we need your help!

In Howard City Area, Montcalm County

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials announced that construction of the Rice and Tamarack Creek bridges on the White Pine Trail in Howard City will begin Monday Aug. 8.

The White Pine Trail is actively utilized by non-motorized users throughout the year and snowmobile users in the winter months. Bridge construction will include abutment replacement and pier removal, as well as the placement of a 60-foot-prefabricated bridge over Rice Creek and a 84-foot-prefabricated bridge over Tamarack Creek.

The White Pine Trail has been temporarily re-routed to Federal Road bypassing both bridges. The detour is posted. Construction is anticipated to be completed in November.

Questions about the trail closure may be directed to Scott Slavin, DNR unit supervisor of White Pine Trail State Park, at 231-775-7911 or slavins@michigan.gov

Construction on E. Cherry Street has limited parking for people trying to access the US Post Office. Post photo by L. Allen.

By Judy Reed

For residents who have been dodging construction and trying to find a place to park so they can access the US Post Office on Cherry Street, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

According to Cedar Springs DPW Director Tom Stressman, paving will soon begin on Cherry Street, and the public should be able to access it by the middle of next week. “We wanted it done before Red Flannel Days,” he noted.

Beech Street is also currently being paved and should be drivable within a couple of days.

It’s been two months since construction started on the city’s antiquated sewer lines. Phase one of the project started with E. Cherry Street, and runs to just east of Park Street, and then south on Park to Ash Street.

Phase 2 of the project is reconstruction of Ash Street, from Park Street to Ann Street, Ann Street from Ash to Beech Street, and Linda Street from the Beech Street intersection.

Phases 1 and 2 included removing the existing road surface, aggregate base and sub-base, and installing new sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water main and reconnection of sewer and water services.

Phase 3 is main construction along Muskegon Street from Red Hawk Drive to the well fields.

Phase 4 includes sanitary sewer lining and spot repairs around the city.

One of the main reasons for the reconstruction project was to minimize groundwater infiltration to the sewer. “We were treating so much groundwater at the plant, and it has significantly dropped just since some of the repairs have been made,” explained Stressman.

He said people should be able to get around easily during Red Flannel Day. The project is supposed to be done by November.

Work began late last week to replace old sewer lines in the City of Cedar Springs. This photo shows construction on E. Cherry Street. Post photo by J. Reed.

By Judy Reed

Area residents driving through the east side of the City of Cedar Springs probably couldn’t help but notice that the city’s utility reconstruction work has begun.

The city is replacing antiquated sewer lines and will construct a new water main on Muskegon Street.

Phase one of the project started with E. Cherry Street, and runs to just east of Park Street, and then south on Park to Ash Street. Asphalt was removed from those streets late last week, and work began in earnest this week on Cherry Street.

Phases 1 and 2 will include removing the existing road surface, aggregate base and sub-base, and installing new sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water main and reconnection of sewer and water services.

Phase 2 of the project will include reconstruction of Ash Street, from Park Street to Ann Street, Ann Street from Ash to Beech Street, and Linda Street from the Beech Street intersection.

Phase 3 will be water main construction along Muskegon Street from Red Hawk Drive to the well fields.

Phase 4 will include sanitary sewer lining and spot repairs around the city.

During phase 1 and 2, residents will be able to get in and out, even when the road is torn up. “Dean’s Excavating (who is doing the work) has to provide access at all times,” explained DPW Director Tom Stressman. “At least one side will be passable.”

The United States Post Office on Cherry Street is still open. You can access it by parking behind the Kent Theatre and walking across the street; parking in the alley behind the Post Office; or parking in their lot off First Street.

2014 Summer Construction Update

After the passing of the Sinking Fund in 2012, an advisory committee consisting of parents, staff, and community members worked together to determine a long range plan for facilities and infrastructure of Cedar Springs Public Schools by identifying the needs of the district.

Phase I took place last summer as we added additional parking spaces at the High School and rerouted the Student Pick-Up/Drop-off.  This summer Phase II will begin with the focus on Cedar Trails Elementary Improved Parking and Improved Pick-Up/Drop-Off.

A new staff parking lot will be created between Cedar Trails Elementary and Cedar View Elementary.  By doing this, the Cedar Trails parking lot in front of the building will be dedicated to parents and children.

There will be an improved dropp-off/pick-up area created.  A media island will serve as the main drop-off/pick-up area for parents.

There will be an illustration of the new and improved area on www.csredhawks.org once available.

Construction will begin in June after school has been dismissed for the summer.  The Cedar Trails Elementary building will not be accessible until the construction is complete.  The Campus Kids summer care program will be relocated to Beach Elementary.

The Approved Sinking Fund is the means by which the District can protect the community’s investment used by our students, staff, parents, and community.  We appreciate your support!

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Cedar Springs District Office at 616-696-1204.

Bob and Mary Lou Fuller, of Solon Township, live right in the midst of the area under construction on Northland Drive, just north of 16 Mile. As a result of the road being widened, a couple of their stately willow trees had to come down.

“Bob planted them so they were about 45 years old,” Mary Lou told the Post.

The willows have not been the only casualties. The construction has also been rough on cars trying to get in and out.

After the heavy rain last Friday, the northern section of the road became like a bog, with at least seven cars getting stuck in the mud. At least one, and possibly more, had to be pulled out with a tow truck.

It’s a good idea to avoid that stretch of Northland (from South Street to 16 Mile Road) unless you live in that area.

A 38-year-old construction worker died today, when he fell through a roof he was working on.

According to Sparta Police Chief Andrew Milanowski, the accident occurred about 10:20 a.m. Monday, July 2, at Federal Mogul, 200 Maple Street, in Sparta.

Brian Tarachanowicz, 38, an employee of Black River Builders, a company contracted to repair the roof of Federal Mogul, reportedly stepped on a weak part of the structure, which gave way beneath him. He fell 30 feet to the concrete below, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Assisting the Sparta PD at the scene was Sparta Fire and Rescue and Rockford Ambulance. The Kent County Medical Examiner was also called to the scene.

Commuters traveling US131 north of Sand Lake need to be prepared—reconstruction starts Monday on a 12-mile stretch that won’t be completed until next fall.

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, the work will be done from Cannonsville Road north to M-46. Bridges over Tamarack Creek and Kendaville Road will be improved and widened, as will the freeway access ramps there.

Northbound traffic will be down to one lane, and will use crossovers. Ramp closures with posted detours will be used at M-82 and M-46.

The work is not expected to be completed until November 3.