Archived News Release: June 28, 2017 - The Gallup Park Pathway portion of the Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail, from the Geddes Dam at the east end of the park to the parking lot east of Huron Parkway, was replaced in 2016 to repair the condition of the asphalt. Additionally, it was widened to 10 feet to improve safety and to accommodate the diverse user groups that ride, walk, rollerblade and commute along this trail.
While the path currently appears to be in good condition, the asphalt mix the contractor used unfortunately did not meet Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) specifications, the city later discovered.
The city contracted with a company to perform material testing to determine whether the material used was consistent with industry practices and adheres to MDOT specifications. The testing results showed that the asphalt mix the contractor used did not meet MDOT specifications. In order not to jeopardize the grant funding, MDOT recommended that the contractor replace the path using the asphalt mix in the specifications. As the contractor was at fault, costs for this additional work will be fully funded by the construction company.
While the temporary closure is an inconvenience to users, the replacement of the path with the specified asphalt mix will provide longer-term durability and is the most responsible use of public funding. Signs and barricades will be installed to safely direct users away from the construction zone. Work is scheduled to start on Wednesday, July 5 and take approximately two to three weeks to complete.
Because the section of the B2B trail will be closed for the duration of the project, commuters must seek alternate routes. Signage will be placed in key locations along the trail to notify users of the upcoming closure and the need to seek alternate routes for approximately two to three weeks. After the path is repaved and the vegetation restored, the silt fence (the black plastic material) lining the path will be removed.
For those relying on this section of the trail to commute from Ypsilanti, the suggested alternate route is to continue north on Dixboro, west on Geddes, north on Earhart and west on Glacier Way. Please see the bike map at www.a2gov.org/bike to view this route or to determine other alternate routes.
If you have any questions, please contact Landscape Architect Amy Kuras at [email protected] or Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Manager Colin Smith at [email protected]. Thank you for your patience.
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