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Georgetown Charter Township - 48th Ave Transmission Main Phase 1

Project Information

Georgetown Charter Township will be constructing a new 24-inch water transmission main on 48th Ave from 200 feet south of Barry Street to Port Sheldon Street. As part of construction, the road will be replaced, as well as driveway approaches on the east side of the road and some storm sewer. The project is anticipated to occur in five stages starting in August of 2024 and working north through October of 2024 and beginning again from May of 2025 to August of 2025. Roads will be closed to through traffic but will remain open to residents.

Access/Traffic:

Traffic detours during the Fall work will be in the following Stages:

Stage 1: Beginning in late August, 48th Ave will be closed from south of Barry Street to south of Van Buren Street. The proposed detour route will route traffic to Chicago Dr, 40th Ave, and Van Buren Street Van Buren Street will remain open temporarily to provide access to 48th Ave north of Van Buren Street. (Map)

Stage 2: In mid-September, the intersection of 48th Ave and Van Buren Street will be closed. The main detour will utilize Port Sheldon St, 40th Ave, and Chicago Drive.  (Map)

Stage 3: In late September, 48th Ave will be closed from north of Van Buren Street to the south drive of Unity CHS. The proposed detour routes traffic to Port Sheldon Street, 40th Ave, and Van Buren Street. This stage will include a temporary closure of UCHS’s south drive. In late October, 48th Ave will be reopened as construction finishes for the year. (Map)

Stage 4: Beginning in late May 2025, 48th Ave will be closed from the north drive of Unity to South of Port Sheldon Street. The proposed detour will utilize Van Buren St, 40th Ave, and Port Sheldon Street. (Map)

Stage 5: In midsummer, the intersection at 48th Ave and Port Sheldon will be closed. The proposed detour routes will utilize Van Buren Street, 36th Ave, Baldwin Street, and 56th Ave. (Map)

Contact

P&N Engineer
Lucas Timmer, PE
Project Manager
616-394-0200

P&N Construction Observer
Joel Bylsma, EIT
616-394-0200

Contractor
Dean’s Excavating
Ben Shepard
616-636-5524

Georgetown Charter Township
Joel Hanenburg
616-226-6005

 

August 15, 2025

Progress Report:

***PORT SHELDON AND 48TH AVENUE WILL BE REOPENED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 IN THE EVENING***

This week the Contractor was busy working on restoration throughout the project area along 48th Avenue and Port Sheldon Street. Concrete curb was poured at Sheldon Drive on Wednesday and pavement markings were added to Port Sheldon Street and 48th Avenue on Thursday and today. Ditch reconstruction also occurred along 48th Avenue and some ditch enclosure with storm sewer south of Port Sheldon Street along 48th Avenue. Topsoil spreading, raking, seeding, and mulch blanket were also added.

Upcoming Work:

Sheldon Drive will be repaved on Monday, August 18 (delayed until Monday due to curing time for the curb). Paving will be occurring right after school has started (weather dependent) and should be open at the end of the day. Additional restoration and punch list work will also occur into next week.

Extra Notes:

Phase 2 of the 48th Avenue Transmission Main project (north of Port Sheldon) is scheduled to begin in early April of 2026. Port Sheldon Street and 48th Avenue will not be closed down again next year. However, closures of 48th Avenue north of Port Sheldon Street and into Baldwin Street, Tyler Street at 48th Avenue, and Baldwin Street at 48th Avenue will be occurring due to the 24 inch water transmission main project, a sanitary sewer project (from Port Sheldon to Rush Creek), a 12 inch water main project on Tyler Street, and an anticipated OCRC roundabout project at 48th Avenue and Baldwin Street. The anticipated completion of all of these projects is mid-November of 2026.
August 8, 2025

Progress Report:

***PORT SHELDON STREET AND 48TH AVENUE WILL BE REOPENED ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 16***

Sanitary sewer installation ended on Tuesday. Port Sheldon Street and 48th Avenue were graded with sand subbase and aggregate base to get ready for paving. Paving started on Friday by placing the base (bottom) course of the intersection and Unity Christian’s north driveway and leveling (middle) course within Port Sheldon and 48th Avenue. Additional testing is planned to occur today on the sanitary sewer along with raising of castings and valve boxes within the road. Concrete curb will be installed at Sheldon Drive today.

Upcoming Work:

Paving of the top course is anticipated on Saturday, August 9 at the intersection of 48th Avenue and Port Sheldon Street and at Unity Christian’s north driveway. Base and top course is also anticipated at Sheldon Drive and for a driveway.

Into next week, the crew will be working very hard to wrap up restoration and complete all required testing of the utilities. The stop light at 48th and Port Sheldon will be returned from blinking red to its normal operating signalization before the project. Additional required testing of the sewer may also occur this week. Pavement markings are anticipated to be placed on Thursday, August 14 with the crew pulling equipment off site on Friday, August 15 and 48th Avenue and Port Sheldon being opened up on Saturday, August 16 (traffic control devices will be removed).

Extra Notes:

Although top course is anticipated to be placed on Saturday, this does not mean the road is opened up yet as significant work still needs to occur with testing, restoration, pavement markings, signalization return etc. We ask the public to respect the workers and the closed road and that they be aware that police will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions. Drivers will be stopped and ticketed if found attempting to use the intersection or cutting through private property (gas station, South Blendon Community Church etc.).

Phase 2 of the 48th Avenue Transmission Main project (north of Port Sheldon) is scheduled to begin in early April of 2026.
August 4, 2025

Progress Report:

The contractor continued installing sanitary sewer through the Port Sheldon St & 48th Ave intersection and hauling spoils offsite this week while the testing procedure was completed on the water main. The contractor paused sanitary sewer installation Wednesday afternoon to complete the 12-inch water main tie-in before resuming sewer installation on Thursday. Concrete curb along Sheldon Dr and portions of concrete sidewalk were poured on Thursday afternoon.

Upcoming Work:

Sanitary sewer installation is scheduled to be completed early next week with restoration of the intersection to follow. The contractor will continue the restoration process along 48th Ave and prepare Sheldon Dr and the north UCHS drive for asphalt paving which is planned to occur this week or early next week.

Extra Notes:

As a reminder, Port Sheldon Street is planned on being closed until Friday, August 15, 2025. If this date changes, we will make sure to notify you in the construction update.

In addition, police officers will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions for the construction crew and will stop and ticket drivers from attempting to use the intersection or cutting through private property (gas station, South Blendon Community Church) to access 48th Avenue.

Please also access UCHS from the south (Van Buren Street) as access is prohibited from the north (Port Sheldon Street) due to construction.

Curb Installation
Water Main Tie-in
July 25, 2025

Progress Report:

The testing process continued this week on the 24-inch transmission main, spoils were hauled offsite, and the contractor began installing the sanitary sewer along 48th Ave from north of Port Sheldon Street south towards J&H Mobil gas station.

Upcoming Work:

The testing process will continue into next week with the tie-in to the 12-inch watermain to follow the completion of both the testing procedure. The sanitary sewer installation is also planned to be completed by the week with testing to occur in the future. The contractor will prepare Sheldon Dr and portions of sidewalk for concrete early next week and prepare Sheldon Dr along with the north Unity Christian High School driveway. Asphalt paving is hoped for near the end of the week (weather dependent). The removal of spoils from the site will continue into next week as well. Finally, it is anticipated that restoration of Port Sheldon Street will also begin near the end of next week.

Extra Notes:

As a reminder, Port Sheldon Street is planned on being closed until Friday, August 15, 2025. If this date changes we will make sure to notify you in the construction update.

In addition, police officers will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions for the construction crew and will stop and ticket drivers from attempting to use the intersection or cutting through private property (gas station, South Blendon Community Church) to access 48th Avenue.

Please also access UCHS from the south (Van Buren Street) as access is prohibited from the north (Port Sheldon Street) due to construction.

 

July 21, 2025

Progress Report:

Restoration continued on 48th Avenue early this week. The contractor was able to install the majority of the 12-inch watermain heading to the live tap location (completed last week) and a standpipe for testing purposes near the middle of the week in the intersection. Construction of the 24-inch transmission main resumed on Wednesday with the contractor reaching the final mainline valve on the north side of the intersection by Thursday afternoon. A plug was placed into the valve until Phase-II of the project begins in 2026 (from Port Sheldon to Baldwin in 48th Avenue). The contractor prepared for pressure testing starting on Friday.

Upcoming Work:

The Contractor plans on testing the water main this week. After completion of testing, th e Contractor plans to finish the 12-inch water main tie-in. Ditch restoration, hydrant drive construction, and hauling off spoils will continue next week, and preparation of Sheldon Drive for paving and concrete will begin. Sanitary sewer work is also looking to begin this week.

Extra Notes:

As a reminder, police officers will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions for the construction crew and will stop and ticket drivers from attempting to use the intersection or cutting through private property (gas station, South Blendon Community Church) to access 48th Avenue.

Please also access UCHS from the south (Van Buren Street) as access is prohibited from the north (Port Sheldon Street) due to construction.

 

July 14, 2025

Progress Report:

***Port Sheldon Street & 48th Avenue will be CLOSED until Friday, August 15. Please see Detour Map above***

This past week (starting on July 7) started with closing of 48th Avenue and Port Sheldon Street and storm sewer/culvert installation. Construction of the 24-inch transmission main resumed Tuesday morning. On Friday July 11, the contractor performed a live tap on the existing 12-inch watermain on the east side of the intersection to prepare for a connection off the 24-inch transmission main. Concrete curb was poured at the north UCHS drive, and concrete sidewalk was poured between the north UCHS drive and Sheldon Dr.

Upcoming Work:

Construction of the 24-inch transmission main will continue this week as they continue into the intersection nearing the connection to the existing 12-inch watermain and the plug that will be placed into the 24-inch transmission main until Phase-II begins. Ditch restoration, hydrant drive construction, and preparing Sheldon Drive for paving will also occur.

Extra Notes:

As a reminder, police officers will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions for the construction crew and will stop and ticket drivers from attempting to use the intersection or cutting through private property (gas station, South Blendon Community Church) to access 48th Avenue.

Please also access UCHS from the south (Van Buren Street) as access is prohibited from the north (Port Sheldon Street) due to construction.

 

July 4, 2025

Progress Report:

***Port Sheldon Street & 48th Avenue will be CLOSED from Monday, July 7 until Friday, August 15. Please see Detour Map above***

Construction of culverts and various section of storm sewer continued this week, with construction of the 24-inch transmission main resuming and putting the contractor closer to Port Sheldon Street in preparation for the intersection closure beginning next week.

Upcoming Work:

Construction of the 24-inch transmission main will continue next week as the intersection of 48th Ave & Port Sheldon St will be closed. Storm sewer installation, ditch reconstruction, hydrant drive construction, and the restoration of Sheldon Drive and the north UCHS drive will follow.

Extra Notes:

As a reminder, police officers will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions for the construction crew and will stop drivers from using the intersection of Port Sheldon Street and 48th Avenue for the duration of the closure.

Please also access UCHS from the south (Van Buren Street) as access is prohibited from the north (Port Sheldon Street) due to construction.
June 30, 2025

***Port Sheldon Street & 48th Avenue will be CLOSED from Monday, July 7 until Friday, August 15. Please see Detour Map above***

Construction of the 24-inch transmission main continued to the north and the Contractor has reached just south of Port Sheldon Street. Tests on the transmission main south of UCHS’ north drive and just south of Sheldon Drive all passed this week. Storm sewer was started at UCHS’ north drive on Friday.

Upcoming Work:

Storm sewer will continue at UCHS’s north drive and at Sheldon Drive next week. Ditch restoration will also begin along with construction of hydrant field drives and culverts for those field drives. The Contractor has indicated they may begin also restoring UCHS’ north drive and Sheldon Drive with concrete curb so that then after the holidays they can start getting the surface prepared for paving.

Extra Notes:

As a reminder, police officers will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions for the construction crew and stop drivers from using 48th Ave between UCHS and Port Sheldon Street.

Please also access UCHS from the south (Van Buren Street) as access is prohibited from the north (Port Sheldon Street) due to construction.

June 20, 2025

Progress Report:

Construction of the 24-inch water transmission main continued and the Contractor was able to get through Sheldon Drive yesterday. Testing on the transmission main that was installed last week and part of this week is starting today and will wrap up mid-week next week.

Upcoming Work:

The Contractor plans on continuing 24 inch water transmission main installation north of Sheldon Drive. In addition, once testing has passed, the Contractor hopes near the end of the week to return back to install storm sewer and start restoring both UCHS’ north drive and Sheldon Drive.

Extra Notes:

As a reminder, police officers will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions for the construction crew and stop drivers from using 48th Ave between UCHS and Port Sheldon Street. While on site, numerous cars were pulled over and ticketed for entering a construction site.

Please also access UCHS from the south (Van Buren Street) as access is prohibited from the north (Port Sheldon Street) due to construction.
June 13, 2025

Progress Report: Construction of the 24-inch water transmission main started on Monday, June 9. The contractor crossed the Unity Christian High School north drive on Thursday and the drive is still closed as it has not been restored. In addition, the 24-inch storm sewer underneath UCHS’ driveway was removed and still needs to be returned.

Upcoming Work: Next week the Contractor will continue to install 24-inch water transmission main north to Sheldon Drive. It is anticipated that the Contractor may even cross Sheldon Road next week depending on weather.

Extra Notes:

As a reminder, police officers will continue to be present to ensure safe and effective working conditions for the construction crew and stop drivers from using 48th Ave between UCHS and Port Sheldon Street. While on site, numerous cars were pulled over and ticketed for entering a construction site.

Please also access UCHS from the south (Van Buren) as access is prohibited from Port Sheldon due to construction.