September Construction Update
Work has continued on the Bank Intercounty Drain project over the past month, and nearly 2,000 feet of pipe has been installed so far. If you laid all the pipe out on a standard 400-meter track it would wrap around 1.5 times.
In addition to the installation of pipe, excavation has been a major activity with crews hauling 35,000 cubic yards of dirt from the main detention pond alone.
This is a multi-year project that started in the summer of 2025.
Abatement and Demolition
Abatement (the process of identifying, containing, and removing hazardous materials) at the former school located at 4300 W. Saginaw Highway is still underway. Abatement crews are specifically removing non-friable asbestos in the roof and flooring and friable asbestos in mudded pipe fittings. Non-friable asbestos presents lower health risks. It is usually mixed with cement or other hard bonding materials. Friable asbestos has high health risks because it can be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to a powder by hand pressure, making it easier to inhale.
Crews wear special protective clothing and equipment to guard themselves from the dangers associated with coming into contact with asbestos.
Stormwater Detention Ponds
Excavation of the stormwater detention pond is progressing steadily, with crews removing an average of nearly 100 truckloads of soil each day! Stormwater detention ponds are being built to hold water, which helps reduce the impact on the stormwater pipes during large rain events. The water that is collected in the ponds will then slowly be released into the Grand River.
Outlet Storm Sewer Replacement
Crews began installation of the 60-inch storm sewer pipe that outlets into the Grand River. After beginning at the Grand River, crews continued to work upstream of the outlet. They installed approximately 500 feet of pipe over the past two weeks. If conditions remain favorable, it is anticipated that crews will reach W. Willow Highway by the end of September.
Take a look at the construction map on our website for more detailed location information regarding the pipe installation.
Neighborhood Storm Sewer Replacement
Crews completed installation of the 66-inch storm sewer pipe along Dibble Avenue, from just south of Michigan Avenue to E. Otis. They’re now working on placing a 48-inch pipe (as shown in the photo). Pipe installation is getting close to the intersection of Blanche Avenue and S. Dibble Ave. and will soon continue east along Blanche Ave. We estimate work on Hume Boulevard to begin by the end of September. In some areas along Dibble, the pipe is buried nearly 30 feet underground.
Traffic and Utility Alerts
TRAFFIC ALERT
W. Saginaw Hwy Lane Closure
There is a single lane closure on W. Saginaw Highway for westbound traffic between Clark and Robbins roads, Monday-Friday. There is no lane closure on Saturdays and Sundays.
TRAFFIC ALERT
W. Willow Highway Closure
W. Willow Hwy. will be closed for several days starting at the beginning of October.
TRAFFIC ALERT
S. Dibble Rd. and Blanche Ave. Closures
S. Dibble Rd. and Blanche Ave. ClosuresS. Dibble Rd. remains closed between W. Michigan Ave. and Blanche Ave. Road crews plan to start work at the end of the month. Within the next week, Blanche Ave. will be closed between Hume Blvd. and Dibble Ave.
UTILITY ALERT
S. Dibble and Blanche Ave. Water Shut-offs
There will be periodic water service interruptions to individual homes while crews place the storm sewer. These interruptions will last only during working hours. All services are reconnected at the end of each work day.
Crews will provide property owners impacted by utility disruptions with a minimum of two days' notice by going door-to-door. If no one answers, they will leave a Bank ICD doorhanger with additional information.
The Bank ICD construction map is continually updated to show road closures, traffic patterns and construction zones. Visit the map for the most up-to-date information.
Safety First
For the safety of yourself and our construction workers, please stay clear of construction equipment and keep your distance from active construction sites. We ask that walkers and runners explore new routes and avoid going through active work zones.
Question or Concerns?
For questions about construction work, email construction@bankdrain.org.
If you need to report an urgent but non-life-threatening matter related to construction of the Bank Intercounty Drain please call the Construction Manager, Eric Deibel at (517) 312-1459.