March Construction Update
As you'll read in the updates below, we reached a major milestone in the project when the main storm sewer pipe reached the site of the future detention pond at 4300 W. Saginaw Highway. Over the coming months, the site of the former school will begin to transform as a detention pond replaces the building.
Construction for the entire Bank Intercounty Drain will take approximately four years (2025-2029) and is divided into five divisions. We'll begin work on an additional division of the project in the coming month. Once work starts on the Saginaw Highway box sewer, each division will have active construction.
Continue reading for updates on each construction division.
Abatement and Demolition
Demolition of the former school, located at 4300 W. Saginaw Highway is nearing completion. The walls are nearly down, and the foundation is starting to be removed. Once the demolition is complete, crews will transition to constructing a large stormwater detention pond.
Stormwater Detention Ponds
Excavation for the stormwater detention pond is still in progress as weather permits. Michigan frost laws are currently in place, which limit the weight of spoils that can be hauled off-site. Once weather conditions are more favorable and frost laws are lifted, hauling of dirt from the site will increase.
Outlet Storm Sewer Replacement
The 60" main line storm sewer has reached the site of the former school, where the new detention pond is being constructed. The inlet structure is currently being formed with rebar and will be poured with concrete within the next week. Once complete, the contractor will move to the north of Willow Hwy. to install 24" storm sewer.
Saginaw Highway Box Sewer
The Saginaw Highway box sewer portion of the project is slated to start in the next month. Construction of the box sewer in 2026 will start at the detention pond, travel east down the center of Saginaw Highway, and up to Dibble Avenue by the end of the year. This section of storm sewer is in the shape of a box instead of the cylindrical shape we have been installing elsewhere due to the high demand of water volume in the storm sewer system.
Neighborhood Storm Sewer Pipe Replacement
Contractors look forward to resuming work near Hume and St. Joseph Highway in the spring when weather conditions are more favorable. Currently, the contractor is installing storm sewer pipe near the Hume and Otis intersection.
Property owners along Hume and Otis will maintain access to their houses throughout the stormwater pipe installation process on the street. If there are any residents with questions regarding access, please let us know.
Traffic Alert
TRAFFIC ALERT
W. Saginaw Hwy Lane Closure
W. Saginaw Highway has a single lane closure for westbound traffic between Clark and Robbins roads, Monday-Friday. There is no lane closure on Saturdays and Sundays.
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
Remember to follow posted detour signs and keep a safe distance from ongoing work to protect yourself and our workers.
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.
The information in this blog post came from an email sent out on 3/19/26. To register for email updates for the Bank Intercounty Drain project, click here.