Upton Drive Reconstruction Project

October 29, 2024 Brief Update

Kalin Construction has informed the City that Michigan Paving and Materials (MPM), the asphalt paving subcontractor, is currently scheduled to finish paving the leveling course and wearing (top) course this Friday and Saturday.  Martin J, the concrete subcontractor, is scheduled to be on site Wednesday to complete the remaining concrete flatwork.

So long as all goes as planned, the road will be open to traffic by Friday, November 8.   However, the new road will not be opened immediately following the next two lifts of asphalt pavement because raising the manhole castings, and pavement markings will still need to be completed.

Those following the project will understand that completion of the project is now highly dependent on subcontractor schedules and weather conditions, and the project team thanks you for your patience since we all expected the project to be done by now.

Please feel free to contact Project Engineer Tim Drews (telephone: 269-876-9286, email: tdrews@abonmarche.com) or City Engineer Tim Zebell (telephone: 269-985-0339 with 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.