West Stadium Boulevard at Pauline Boulevard Improvements Project

Last Updated:  August 27, 2009

Current Status:

The construction is continuing on the east side of the road with installation of curbs, road base, electrical conduits, water main, storm sewer connections, and the retaining wall.  With good weather, Pauline and West Stadium should be paved and re-opened to normal traffic patterns before the first U of M football game on September 5, 2009.  After that, there will be intermittent lane closures to allow completion of the work behind the curbs.  The entire work is expected to be complete before the end of September 2009.

Summary of the Project:

This project is a continuation of the West Stadium reconstruction that was completed north of Pauline in 2006.  This project will reconstruct the West Stadium Boulevard at Pauline to approximately Suffolk.  (Limits of Construction Drawing).  This will allow the Pauline intersection to flow normally, without traffic control, once the remainder of West Stadium (Suffolk to Seventh) is under construction – currently expected for 2010.  This project will also include storm sewer and water main improvements.

  Improvements on W. Stadium at Pauline to Suffolk include:

○ Complete reconstruction of the street; (Cross Section Drawing)

○ New oversized storm sewer pipes, weir structures, and stormwater quality control structures;

○ New water main to replace the existing water distribution pipes;

○ On-street bike lanes on both sides;

○ New sidewalks and LED energy efficient street lights.

Traffic Control During Construction: 

Access to driveways will be maintained throughout the project.  A temporary lane widening will be constructed on West Stadium to maintain two-way traffic on West Stadium Boulevard throughout the construction.  During construction, eastbound traffic on Pauline will be detoured to allow construction within the intersection. Westbound traffic will be maintained. (Detour Route).   

Storm Water

Oversized pipes (48” and 36” diameter) will be placed the length of the project which will provide conveyance as well as detention for the entire right-of-way.  The project also includes two water quality devices to remove pollutants from the road runoff prior to entering the storm system. 

These storm water Best Management Process (BMP) improvements have been approved for funding through a low interest (2.5%) State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan to the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner.  This includes engineering and construction of the oversized pipes and the storm water quality structures. The BMPs are intended to reduce flooding and improve water quality in Allen Creek. 

Water Main Work

The  existing 12” water main will be replaced as it is near the end of its design life and the soils in the area have been found to be corrosive. 

Access Issues

To improve pedestrian access, the crosswalk from the southwest corner to the southeast corner will be relocated a few feet south to reduce the crossing length at this point.  Countdown pedestrian walk signals will also be installed.

Street Lights & Aesthetics

Eleven decorative street lights, matching those north of Pauline, will replace three existing corbra head lights owned by DTE.  These fixtures will be LED compatible.  Annual maintenance and electrical costs of the eleven new City-owned lights is estimated at $605 per year for LED lights versus the $1090 per year charge by DTE for the for the three existing lights. 

In addition to street lights, this stretch will mimic the existing road north of Pauline with matching asphalt pavement and concrete scoring.  Due to the proximity of the existing concrete-block wall along the east side of West Stadium, the wall will removed and replaced to allow sidewalk and utility installation.  The new wall will be a modular block stone wall with a pedestrian scale handrail attached. 

Funding

Approximately 80% of the road construction costs will be funded with Federal Highway Surface Transportation Funds.  The remainder of the road costs (design and construction) will be funded by the City of Ann Arbor's Street Resurfacing Millage. 

Contact Information

For questions, comments or concerns, please contact: