Project completed and grand opening video released
The City of Ann Arbor today debuted a
new video featuring Mayor Christopher Taylor, as a virtual commemoration marking the official grand opening and completion of construction on the $9.4 million Allen Creek Berm Project, capping the largest stormwater management and flood mitigation project in city history.
“I'd like to welcome you to this virtual grand opening of our Stormwater Smart campaign's Allen Creek Berm project," Taylor
says in the video. “This is an incredibly exciting municipal project, multimillion dollar, years in the making. It addresses two really important municipal goals: stormwater and flood protection mitigation as well as promotion of non-motorized transportation," the mayor adds.
The city produced the 90-second
video instead of holding a traditional ceremony due to COVID-19 pandemic. The video includes aerial drone footage and additional video that highlight the project's landscaping and safety improvements. For example, the Allen Creek Berm tunnel pedestrian pathway, in combination with new fencing, for the first time, provides
non-motorized users safe passage under the Amtrak railroad tracks.
Project Limits
Ann Arbor railroad north of Depot Street.
Timeline
Construction
This project has now been completed
Current Project Engagement Opportunities
There are no engagement opportunities at this time.
Why is this project being done?
This project will lower the floodplain depth at the railroad berm near the mouth of the Allen Creek in the vicinity of Depot and Main Street, just west of the Ann Arbor Amtrak Station. In addition, the project will install a large culvert beneath the railroad that will provide safe and legal access from the downtown area to the Border-to-Border Trail.
Work to be done
Construction of a flood relief opening in the railroad berm that also provides a new pedestrian path to connect the Depot Street area to the Border-to-Border Trail.
The storm part of the project will consist of the construction of: two approximately 200 feet by 12 feet by 7 feet hydraulic box culverts with an outlet to the Huron River, and 286 linear feet of 48-inch pipe storm sewer improvements to reroute the storm drain in Depot St through the new flood relief culverts.
The pedestrian path will go from the corner of Depot Street and Fifth Avenue , under the railroad tracks in an 85 feet long (14 feet x 12 feet) tunnel, then on new a bridge over Allen Creek, then connect to the Border-to-Border Trail near Argo Dam.
Possible impact to residents
The project will have very limited impacts to the public during construction. The majority of work will take place on private property and in the railroad right-of-way. The railroad will be shutting down for one day in May to allow for construction. There will be a two week period in June that the block of Depot Street between Main Street and Forth Avenue will be closed for storm drain work. A one block detour onto Summit Street will occur during this time period.
Cost & Funding Source
The total cost of the project is $9.4 million, with 44% coming from city funds.
- FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant: $3.7 million
- MDOT TAP: $970,000
- SEMCOG TAP: $315,000
- MDNR Trust Fund Grant: $300,000
- City of Ann Arbor: $2.9 million (from stormwater funds) + $1.2 million (alternative transportation funds)
Documents & Materials
