Upton Drive Reconstruction Project

April 21, 2025 Project Update

Next week, Kalin Construction and their paving subcontractor, Michigan Paving & Materials, will remobilize to Upton Drive to mill and resurface the portion of the project that was paved last fall. This is required because the wrong pavement mix for the middle layer (course) of asphalt was placed last fall. As a result, the top two layers of asphalt, that total 4” in depth, will be milled off and then repaved. Traffic will be maintained using flag control however, motorists may need to alter their routes based upon the work underway at the time.

Weather allowing, the schedule is expected to be as follows:

Monday, April 28, 2025 – Manhole castings will be removed.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 – Mill a 4” depth of pavement from Momany Drive to south of the Marina Drive/Virginia Court intersection (see the map below).
Wednesday April 30, 2025 – Pave middle layer (leveling course) of pavement.
Monday, May 5, 2025 – Pave top layer (wearing course) of pavement.
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – Set manhole castings.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Pavement markings.

Please allow for additional time when traveling Upton Drive starting April 28, 2025 until the resurfacing work has been completed and feel free to contact Abonmarche Construction Manager Kevin Eyerly (mobile: (269) 449-6019, email: keyerly@abonmarche.com) or Assistant City Manager/City Engineer Tim Zebell (direct: (269) 985-0339, email: tzebell@sjcity.com) with any questions or concerns.

Project Description & General Information

The Upton Drive Reconstruction Project is scheduled to begin on March 25, 2024.

The project limits include Upton Drive from its southerly end near the St. Joseph River to Momany Drive. The primary purpose of the project is to reconstruct the roadway, install new storm sewer to improve drainage, and replace the sanitary force main from the Edgewater Lift Station to the sanitary sewer interceptor sewer south of the St. Joseph River. While the roadway is removed, the existing sanitary sewer and water mains located under it will be replaced. The project also includes reconfiguration of the roadway to allow the installation of a non-motorized path.

The scope is more complex than most reconstruction projects as it includes three utility crossings under the CSX railroad tracks, a directional bore under the St. Joseph River, and changing the pavement width. This requires coordinating multiple agreements with CSX. Several external funding sources are also involved including a Transportation Economic Development Fund Category A grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation, a Clean Water State Revolving Loan (CWSRF) loan, and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan. A portion of the CWSRF and DWSRF funding will come in the form of grants rather than loans. The balance of funding beyond the external sources listed above will come from the City’s Street Improvement Fund, Water Improvement Fund, and Sewer Fund.

The project is expected to be underway the entire construction season with completion expected in early November.

The supporting documents section has links to more detailed information that can be downloaded, a brief description of the documents follows.

Initial Public Notice - provides a detailed description of the project and answer frequently asked questions.
Selected Alternative - the selected alternative concept plan that was posted during the public input phase.
Pavement Marking - Signage Plan – provides a more detailed view of the plans extracted from the plans as bid.
Initial Public Meeting Presentation – a pdf of the power point presented during the March 6, 2024 public meeting.
Upton Phasing Plan - Anticipated dates of the phasing plan as of March 12, 2014.