Huron River Drive 

Last Updated: September 15, 2008

Current Status:

Huron River Drive is open to traffic.

The road will be closed and the next phase of construction will begin in May 2009.

2008 Construction:

Construction began on June 2, 2008.  During June 2008, our contractor (Pamar Enterprise from New Haven, MI) delivered their materials and equipment, installed erosion control devices, performed utility exploration excavations, and performed pipe bursting. 

Through mid-July, Pamar installed all the storm sewers, edge drain, culverts, and rip rap and completed pipe bursting for the year.  By mid-August, Pamar completed the installation of the road base and paved both Phase I and Phase II.  Phase I (M-14 to 900 ft west) was paved at the end of July.  Phase II (Phase I to about 3200 feet west of M-14 - halfway to Bird Rd) was paved on August 15, 2008. 

Work in August consisted of adjusting manhole covers, placing pavement markings, installing gravel shoulders, installing rip rap, placing the topsoil, seeding and landscaping, and final cleanup.  We also patched the most severely deteroriated areas that are between Bird Road and the newly paved areas. This is a temporary fix intended to maintain this section through the winter and until we return in May 2009.

The road was reopened to traffic on August 29, 2008.

Road Cross Section

Huron River Drive is being reconstructed using a "burrito" cross section.  The base beneath the asphalt consists of two layers of rock (aggregate) that is wrapped with geogrid and geofabrics.  The geogrid allows the depth of the cross section to be minimized and thereby reduces the disturbance to the surrounding natural features.  It also provides additional stability to the road in those areas that are immediately adjacent to the steep slopes.

Pipe Bursting

Pipe bursting is a method of construction that allows the existing sanitary sewer to be upsized in place. An expanding device called an expander head is pulled through the existing 15" diameter clay pipe. As it travels through the clay pipe, it breaks the existing pipe into many small pieces, pushing the pieces into the surrounding soil. The new 18" diameter polyethylene pipe is attached to the back of the expander head and is pulled through at the same time. About 2,000 feet of new sanitary sewer has been installed.

Construction Phasing:

Due to the length of the road and the seasonal requirements for slope and wetland restoration, we will be dividing the road (N.Main St to Bird Rd) into two separate construction seasons.

2008 Construction (June 2008 to mid-September 2008):  Phase I and Phase II will consist of rebuilding the easterly 3200 ft (from N. Main St to about halfway to Bird Rd). This will also include pipe bursting the entire length of the sanitary sewer. Once this phase is complete, the road will be reopened to traffic until we begin work in 2009.

2009 Construction (late-May 2009 to September 2009):  Phase III and Phase IV will consist of rebuilding the remaining 2500 ft, through the Bird Rd intersection, and placing the final layer of asphalt across the entire length.

We had originally planned to have the entire length completed in one construction season (May through November). However, due to the critical nature of the adjacent slopes/wetlands and the need to have these slopes quickly stabilized following construction, we will not be able to extend construction beyond early September due to seasonal growing restrictions.

Detour Route:
During the construction, Huron River Drive (HRD) from Main Street to Bird Road will be closed to traffic. The detour route for eastbound HRD traffic will be Maple-Dexter-Huron-Main. The detour route for westbound HRD traffic will be Main-Miller-Maple.

Road Cross Section:
The road will be fully reconstructed with removal and replacement of the road base. Due to the adjacent steep slopes and the shallow sewer, the road cross section will be kept to a minimum with the use of geotextiles and geogrids. The pavement will be asphalt. The new road will be 23-ft wide for two vehicular lanes.

Please feel free to contact Elizabeth Rolla (see below for contact information) with any comments, questions, or clarifications.

History:

Huron River Drive from Bird Road to Main Street is in poor condition.  It was last surface treated in the 1990's and has not been resurfaced since.  Its continued deterioration is cause for response by the city, as it cannot go untreated much longer without consequence.  

There are many different users (motorists, joggers, hikers, cyclists, paddlers, etc.) along this scenic and ecologically diverse section of roadway.  A public outreach process was undertaken to determine a strategy for addressing Huron River Drive while striking a balance between these users and assorted City plans and ordinances. 

Through the Public Outreach process it was determined that the road should be resurfaced/reconstructed as close as possible to its existing dimensions.  City Council approved a resolution on August 6, 2007 directing staff to begin the design work on this project. 

The design work will take place during the fall and winter 2007/2008.

Public Outreach and Engagement:

The successful outcome of the Huron River Drive Improvement Alternatives project relied on the active participation of the community.  The City hired Beckett & Raeder, Inc. to guide the public outreach process. 

Past Events:

A second public meeting was held June 7, 2007 at the Forsythe Middle School Cafeteria.

On Saturday, April 21, 2007, Huron River Drive was closed to motor vehicles from 9 a.m. to noon for an on-site event to bring attention to the Huron River Drive improvement alternatives.  Many people stopped by and the project team received 320 completed surveys that day.  

On April 4, 2007 public outreach meeting was held at Forsythe Middle School.  In addition to those two events, the project team has received numerous phone calls and emails with regards to the alternatives proposed.  The survey results and public comments are now available. 

(Community Outreach Summary)

An informational meeting was held on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at the Forsythe Middle School Cafeteria, 1655 Newport Rd. About 30 people attended the meeting. Here are the documents that were made available at the meeting.

Improvement Alterations Report (pdf)
Design Informational Materials (pdf)

Design Advisory Committee:

The Design Advisory Committee (DAC) was comprised of a diverse group of Stakeholders.  The DAC is worked with the project team to direct the team to sources of background information, review assumptions, and provide feedback at important milestones. (DAC Members)

Background:

Huron River Drive is a winding two lane bituminous road that borders the Huron River to the north and the City-owned Bird Hills Park to the south.  The vehicle lanes are approximately 11-feet wide.  Steep slopes, dense vegetation, protected natural species, and wetlands characterize the land immediately adjacent to the roadway.  In some stretches, there is no shoulder, but only a drop-off to the wetlands below.  The road is a popular route for recreational bicyclists and motorists seeking a scenic drive.  It is also a throughway for residents who live northwest of Ann Arbor and those traveling to the neighboring village of Dexter, Michigan.  Based on recent traffic counts, approximately 2300 vehicles per day use the road. 

The bituminous surface of the road is in poor condition.  It was last surface treated in the 1990's and has not been resurfaced since.  Its continued deterioration is cause for response by the city, as it cannot go untreated much longer without consequence.  The City conducted a topographic survey of the roadway in June 2006 in anticipation of improving the road.  During the survey, many citizens and community organizations contacted City staff to express their concerns and desires for the direction of the project.   

The City's 2007 Non-Motorized Plan identifies Huron River Drive as a second tier prioritization for bike lanes on paved shoulders. The Natural Features Guidelines protect landmark trees, steep slopes, wetlands, woodlands, and other natural features found along both sides of the road, and identifies many of them as Highest Concern. A balance will need to be struck between these and other city plans and ordinances.

The City conducted an public engagement process to address the deterioration of the roadway in the way that best reflected the values of our community at large.

Questions or Concerns:

Elizabeth Rolla, P.E., Senior Project Manager 

734-994-6155

erolla@a2gov.org