Ask ELi: Bid Winner Chosen on Coleman Road Project, So Expect Work to Begin Soon

An ELi reader wrote in to ask for an update on the Coleman Road extension project, so we asked Director of Public Works Scott House to provide a status. House tells us that bidding for Phase 1 of the project was closed August 20, and that contractor C&D Hughes brought in the low bid and was awarded a $3.6 million contract.

“They are expected to start construction after Labor Day,” according to House.

The Clinton County Road Commission has been “working collaboratively with East Lansing, Dewitt, and adjacent property owners” to pull it all together. That has involved obtaining required property rights and easements, finalizing the design, and getting all the permits in place.

House has told ELi that, “Due to the late bid, the new road will not open to traffic until spring of 2020.”

The goal of the project is to create an east-west thoroughfare that crosses Route 127 where there is currently none. The project is expected to relieve some traffic on Lake Lansing Road near Eastwood Towne Center.

According to House, “The project was designed by C2AE Engineering. The plans call for connecting Coleman Road to Wood Road, passing under US 127, with traffic signals at Wood Road and West Road. A non-motorized path will extend the entire length, with bike lanes in East Lansing, east of US 127.”

For the open bidding process, plans were advertised on the website of MITA, the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, which describes itself as “a statewide construction trade association.” (Roadwork contractors in Michigan know to look for possible projects at this site.)

Phase 1 will include “utility improvement, road grading, curb installation, and base course of asphalt before Thanksgiving,” says House. Then, “sidewalk and signal work will continue through the winter. In spring, MDOT bridge work will commence, along with final paving. The road will open to traffic in the spring, and Phase I will end in July of 2020.”

After that, “Phase 2 will be released for bid in June of 2020,” with a planned start date of July 2020. “Phase 2 will consist of additional improvements, to include street lighting (with the goal of using solar street lights), final landscaping, and other items that could not be added to Phase 1.”

Have something you’d like ELi to investigate? Contact us!