July Construction Update
We reached a major milestone this past month by completing one of the five divisions of the project: abatement and demolition of the former school. With this complete, we can focus on finishing the stormwater detention ponds. Read more in the sections that follow.
Pictured below is the site of the former school and Saginaw Highway where the box sewer is being installed.
Abatement and Demolition
This phase of the project is complete! Over the past year, the contractor performed abatement and demolition of three houses and a former school and service barn. The site of the former school is where a large stormwater detention pond is being constructed. The monthly construction newsletter will no longer have updates for this phase of the project, but you can follow along on the progress of the detention pond in the following section.
Stormwater Detention Ponds
The contractor is nearly 50 percent complete with excavating the large stormwater detention pond at 4300 W. Saginaw Highway.
Stormwater Detention vs. Retention - What's the Difference?
A stormwater detention pond temporarily holds stormwater runoff and slowly releases it to prevent/alleviate flooding. This means the basin is dry between storms. A stormwater retention pond permanently holds water, only allowing the water to leave by soaking into the ground. The water level rises and drops depending on the amount of runoff coming from the area.
Stormwater detention basins are important for storing and slowing stormwater runoff from nearby areas, especially areas with a lot of asphalt or concrete development where water flows quickly from these surfaces.
The stormwater detention ponds being constructed at 4300 W. Saginaw Highway, 219 N. Waverly Rd. and 511 N. Waverly Rd. will help alleviate flooding in the Bank Intercounty Drain district.
Outlet Storm Sewer Replacement
The base course for Elizabeth street has been paved. Restoration has been ongoing in the area for the past month. The contractor plans to install water main and storm catch basins along Waverly Road throughout the month of July.
Saginaw Highway Box Sewer
Box sewer installation has continued down Saginaw Highway. Over the past month, 600 feet of box sewer was installed. Pictured bottom right is a view inside the sewer. The box sewer is 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
The center lanes on Saginaw Hwy will remain closed as construction continues. Single eastbound and westbound lanes will remain open.
Neighborhood Storm Sewer Pipe Replacement
St. Joe Highway is open! Storm sewer installation wrapped up on Meadowview Ln. and Michelle Circle last month. Road crews replaced curbs and completed the base course paving on Harvest Ln., Oakcrest Dr., Meadowview Ln., and Michelle Circle. Top course paving in these areas will take place in October. The contractor will follow behind and continue restoration.
Traffic Alert
TRAFFIC ALERT
Saginaw Hwy Lane Closures Shifted
Saginaw Hwy lane closures will continue down the middle of the street. Inside the work zone, there will be one lane open to eastbound traffic and one for westbound traffic. There is an alternate route posted along 496 from the I-69 overpass on Saginaw to the Cedar/Larch exit off of 496.
Safety First: Slow Down in Construction Zones
When you speed in a construction zone, it's more than just a ticket on the line. Speeding in a construction zone increases the risk of collisions, loss of vehicle control and accidents involving workers. Narrow lanes, sudden stops and construction debris leave drivers with less reaction time while workers have fewer protective barriers. Follow all posted speed limit signs to protect yourself and others.
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 7/21/26. To register for email updates for the Bank Intercounty Drain project, click here.