Benton Charter Township is replacing sanitary sewer along Vashti Ave and portions of Crystal Ave and Highland Ave. The new sanitary sewer will be installed along Crystal Ave from 426 Crystal to 500′ north of the I-94 Business Loop/Crystal Ave roundabout, Crystal Ave from 160 Crystal Ave to 350′ south of Highland Ave, Highland Ave from Crystal Ave to Vashti Ave, and Vashti Ave from Highland Ave to Farmer Rd. The project will be under construction April through most of July.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any of the project representatives listed below.
Engineer: Prein&Newhof
Steve Oosting, PE
(616) 364-8491
soosting@preinnewhof.com
Contractor: Harris ConAg
Mark Harris
(269) 720-6393
charlie@bandzcompany.com
Public Works Department
Andy Jordan
(269) 208-7275
ajordan@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov
Wastewater Service Connections
Property owners will receive new sanitary sewer lateral piping from the roadway to the right of way line by the completion of the project. Temporary disruption to sewer service may be required at times during replacement of individual laterals. Service disruption will be coordinated with the property owners in advance and will not extend beyond normal working hours.
Access/Traffic Control
The project will be constructed in two phases. Phase 1 of the project will include construction in Crystal Ave. Phase 2 of the project will include construction in Highland Ave and Vashti Street.
During Phase 1, Crystal Ave from Territorial Rd to the I-94 business loop and Crystal Ave from the I-94 business loop to Eastland Ave will be closed to thru traffic within the work zone and traffic will be redirected via a detour. Thru access to Benton Harbor and I-94 will be maintained on the I-94 business loop.
Crystal Ave will be restored and reopened to traffic prior to the start of Phase 2.
During Phase 2, Highland Ave from Crystal Ave to Vashti Ave and Vashti Ave from Highland Ave to Farmer Rd will be closed to thru traffic within the work zone and traffic will be redirected via a detour.
Access to driveways within the project area will be maintained. When temporary disruption to driveway access cannot be avoided, driveways will be closed during working hours with overnight access restored. Please contact the contractor listed below if you have a special need for driveway access accommodations during these periods.
Mailboxes will be temporarily removed to allow for excavation and promptly reinstalled to maintain mail service during the project.
Trash Pickup
Normal trash pickup schedules will continue. When construction work hinders access, the contractor will transport trash containers to an accessible location and return them to the property.
Grass Restoration
Grass areas disturbed for construction will be restored with topsoil and hydroseeding containing mixture of grass seed, fertilizer, and mulch. Property owners will be responsible for watering to promote growth of the new grass.
Driveways
Driveway approaches will be removed as needed to install the sanitary sewer and will be replaced in-kind.
All sewer installation on the project has been finished!
Televising of sewer, restoration, cleanup, and paving of the patch on Bridgman Ave are anticipated to occur within the next couple of weeks.
The easement between Bridgman Ave and Crystal Ave has been obtained and the tree removal work in the easement has been completed.
Sanitary sewer installation is scheduled to occur this week between Bridgman Ave and Crystal Ave. This is the last run of sewer to be installed on the project.
All roads have been paved and hydroseed has been sprayed along the green space of Crystal Ave, Highland Ave, and Vashti St. The project has now reached substantial completion.
Installation of the sanitary sewer in the easement between Crystal Ave and Bridgman is scheduled to occur in November.
Paving of the top course on Crystal Ave, Highland Ave, Vashti St, and asphalt driveways has occurred this week.
Televising of laterals, restoration of the grass, and general cleanup is scheduled to occur this week.
Paving of the base course on Crystal Ave, Highland Ave, Vashti St, and asphalt driveways has occurred this week.
Paving of the top course is scheduled for Monday of next week.
Sanitary sewer installation on Crystal Ave, Highland Ave, Vashti St has been completed, with the exception of one lateral to complete.
Construction of the road gravel base on Highland and Vashti St will begin next week and continue over the next couple of weeks, before paving on all 3 streets will occur.
See the sidebar to the left for information on traffic, mail, trash pickup, grass restoration, and driveways.
Progress Update: Sanitary sewer installation on Highland Ave has been completed. Sanitary sewer installation on Vashti St has begun.
Up Next: Vashti St will be closed to traffic during regular working hours, typically from 7 am to 6 pm. All vehicle access to and from properties on this dead end street will be closed during these times. During nonworking hours (nights and weekends), the road will be accessible. Residents and businesses should plan accordingly to ensure their vehicles are moved in or out as needed during non-working hours.
Progress Update: Sanitary sewer installation on Crystal Ave north and south of the I-94 Business Loop roundabout has been completed, with the exception of one lateral to be done on the north end of the project. Sanitary sewer installation on Highland Ave has begun. Crystal Ave is anticipated to open to traffic early next week.
Up Next: Highland Ave will remain closed to traffic from Crystal Ave to Vashti St for the next several weeks for sanitary sewer construction.
Progress Update: Sanitary sewer installation on Crystal Ave north and south of the I-94 Business Loop roundabout has been completed, except for one sewer lateral to be done on the north end of the project.
Up Next: Road grading on Crystal Ave will continue through the coming week. We anticipate Crystal Ave will be open to traffic by the end of next week. Starting next week, Highland Ave will be closed to traffic from Crystal Ave to Vashti St for sewer construction.
Progress Update: Sanitary sewer installation on Crystal Ave north of the I-94 Business Loop roundabout has been completed. Approximately 400 feet of sanitary sewer installation on Crystal Ave south of the I-94 Business Loop roundabout has been completed. Progress is moving relatively slowly because of deep excavation in this section of the project.
Up Next: Sanitary sewer installation on Crystal Ave south of the I-94 Business Loop roundabout will continue over the next few weeks before starting on Highland Ave. The Highland Ave/Crystal Ave intersection will remain closed until sanitary sewer installation on Crystal Ave is complete.
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