$8 million project part of an overall $100 million infrastructure investment in the city of Southfield over 10 years

The city of Southfield will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Nine Mile Road and bridge construction project on Wednesday, June 5 at 11 a.m. at the bridge site located between Telegraph and Lahser.

The project included the complete removal and replacement of the bridge over the Evans Branch of the Rouge River. The bridge was elevated eight feet higher than the previous structure to reduce the vertical curve of the road to improve sight distances. An eight-foot sidewalk was installed on each side of the bridge; however, the south sidewalk is for future use as there is currently no connecting sidewalk on the south side of Nine Mile Road.

Traffic volumes have allowed Nine Mile Road to be reduced to three lanes with one lane in each direction and a center left turn between Telegraph and Lahser. Nine Mile was rehabilitated by removing the curbs and covering the existing concrete pavement with two inches of stone which was then paved with five-and-a-half inches of asphalt. All new curbs and driveways were constructed with full reconstruction in the segments close to Telegraph Road and Lahser Road, as well as segments adjacent to the new bridge to accommodate the elevation change.

Utility work related to the bridge replacement included 200 feet of 16-inch water main relocation and concrete encasement of Oakland County Water Resources Commission’s 36-inch sanitary interceptor, which crosses beneath the west bridge abutment. In addition, 548 feet of 10-inch sanitary sewer east of Plum Hollow Street was found to be in poor condition and was also replaced.

The total project cost was $8,100,000 with $3,306,600 in Federal funds and $1,425,000 in State Local Bridge funds. The City of Southfield’s cost share was $3,368,400. Funding for the City’s portion of the project was provided from the Road Bond Construction Fund ($3,265,715) and the Water & Sewer budget ($102,685).

The ribbon cutting will feature remarks from several city and project officials including Mayor Kenson Siver, Council President Lloyd Crews and City Administrator Fred Zorn. A light lunch will immediately follow the ceremony.

For more information on the ribbon cutting, call Southfield Community Relations at (248) 796-5130. For more information on the construction project, call the Southfield Engineering Department at (248) 796-4810.