Township OKs $800,000 to Pave Portion of 24 Mile Road This Spring

The final paperwork needs to be signed and filed, but Macomb Township is prepared to pay $803,492 to have 24 Mile Road paved between Card Road and North Avenue this spring.

The project was proposed by township clerk Michael Koehs and approved by the board of trustees Wednesday.

“We all know (the Macomb County Department of Roads) already west of North Avenue and when they close that up, the current plan is to route traffic two miles down to 21 Mile, or three miles up to 26 Mile,” Koehs said. “With gas and everything else going up … it would make more sense to pave the portion of 24 Mile between Card and North Avenue.”

With this ¾-mile segment paved prior to the close of the bridge, drivers traveling on 23 Mile Road would have the option of detouring only two miles, rather than four or more.

Because 24 Mile is a county road, the Department of Roads would typically foot 40 percent of the bill. However, as the county has already set its budget for 2012 and 2013, the township must cover the total cost if it wishes to complete this project in the spring.

“When I initially made contact with the (Department of Roads), they indicated they would support the project, but the money had already been expended for this year,” Koehs said.

In compromise, the county would credit the township its portion, approximately $321,397, toward a future project.

James Van Tiflin, project manager of the township’s engineering consulting firm Spalding DeDecker Associations, Inc., said he anticipates the earliest the township could reasonably expect to receive this credit would be in 2014. This credit could be used toward a project such as the .

The $803,492 total covers paving the ¾-mile segment, adding the necessary turn lanes and installing a temporary light at 24 Mile and North Avenue.

Koehs assured the board that this funding is well within the budget set aside for road improvements in the township.

With the project proposal approved, Koehs said the township's next step is to work with the Department of Roads to devise and sign a formal contract that will ensure the road is paved before the bridge at 23 Mile Road is closed for construction this summer.  

Forming a committee to tackle unpaved roads

Koehs also proposed during Wednesday’s meeting that the township establish a road committee composed of trustees and residents that would be tasked with developing a long-term plan for the remaining 13 miles of unpaved road in Macomb Township.

This request was approved, with Trustee Nancy Nevers and Treasurer Karen Goodhue volunteering to sit on the committee on behalf of the township.

Koehs added that several township residents have already expressed interest in joining the committee.

A meeting date has yet to be determined.