Muskegon Heights - Sanford Street, Oakwood Avenue to Broadway Avenue and Columbia Avenue, 5th Street to Peck Street Archives

June 13, 2025

The Sanford and Columbia project is nearing the end of construction and roads should be fully opened by the end of June. I dare say, the work will be completed AHEAD of schedule!!!

Progress Report:

Nearly all concrete work is now completed.
Nearly all topsoil has been placed.
Nearly all the road gravel has been placed, shaped and compacted.

Upcoming Work:

Complete any outstanding concrete work – sidewalks, sidewalk ramps, curb and gutter
Adjusting manhole covers and valve covers to the final elevations
Fine grading and preparation for asphalt
Paving in Summit and Sanford north of Summit and Columbia will be the end of the week of June 16
Topsoil, seeding and restoration is ongoing
Permanent street signs
Final piece of the project will be pavement markings on Sanford north of Summit and on Summit

Lead Service Line Replacement Update :

Services	January, 2020	June, 2025
Total	5,150	5,112
Inactive	1,180	1,140
Active	3,970	3,972
Lead	4,750	3,612
Non-Lead	400	1,500

Birdseye view of Sanford, looking south from Broadway

Birdseye view of new Sanford pavement, looking south from Summit

New fire hydrant on Sanford, south of Summit

June 6, 2025

The end of this project is starting to come into focus. The progress again was very good on the reconstruction of Sanford and Columbia in Muskegon Heights.

Progress Report:

Concrete driveway approaches, concrete curb and gutter and sidewalk was installed north of Summit on Sanford and east of Sanford on Columbia
Road gravel base was graded and prepared for asphalt south of Summit
First course of asphalt was placed on Sanford south of Summit and on Oakwood between Peck and Sanford
Topsoil and restoration work is ongoing

Upcoming Work:

All remaining concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, sidewalk ramps, driveway approaches
Adjusting manhole covers and valve covers to the final elevations
Fine grading and preparation for asphalt will be done north of Summit
Paving in Summit and Sanford north of Summit and Columbia will likely be the week of June 16
Additional topsoil and restoration
Permanent street signs
Final piece of the project will be pavement markings on Sanford north of Summit and on Summit

Please DO NOT DRIVE on new concrete for a minimum of 3 days to protect the new concrete and allow it to cure to full strength.

First course of asphalt on Sanford, south of Summit

New concrete curb and gutter and sidewalk on Columbia

May 30, 2025

It was a short week, but a productive one on Sanford and Columbia in Muskegon Heights. The project is still on schedule to be completed in or before July. Here is a quick update:

Progress Report:

All water services are now tied to the new water main
Old water main was taken out of service and all new water main is connected to the existing water system
All underground utility work is complete
Gravel road base is now installed throughout the project. Fine grading and preparation for asphalt has begun
Additional concrete curb and gutter north of Summit as well as some fill in concrete on driveway approaches and sidewalk is being completed today south of Summit
Some areas were scheduled for hydroseeding
Topsoil and restoration work is ongoing

Upcoming Work:

All remaining concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, sidewalk ramps, driveway approaches
First course of asphalt paving is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 9
Fine grading and preparation for asphalt will be done north of Summit
After the first course of asphalt, manhole structures and water main valve covers in the road will be raised to the final elevation
Additional topsoil and restoration
Permanent street signs
Final piece of the project will be pavement markings on Sanford north of Summit and on Summit

Please DO NOT DRIVE on new concrete for a minimum of three days to protect the new concrete and allow it to cure to full strength.

Conditions of Sanford north of Columbia

Conditions of Columbia east of Sanford

Conditions of Sanford south of Summit showing topsoil already placed behind the curb

May 23, 2025

Progress Report:

Water services were installed to the new water main on Sanford north of Summit
Road gravel was delivered to the Sanford Street area south of Broadway for new road base
Road grading and preparations for asphalt paving took place on Sanford south of Summit
Topsoil and restoration work began south of Summit on Sanford between the sidewalk and curb

Upcoming Work:

No work will take place on Monday for the Memorial Day Holiday
The last water main connection will be made at Columbia and Peck
The last few drainage structures will be installed on Sanford once the old water main is out of service
Road grading will continue on Sanford and Columbia north of Summit
Concrete curb and gutter will be installed later in the week of June 2 on Sanford between Summit and Broadway and on Columbia between Peck and Sanford
Preparations for asphalt paving will begin
Topsoil and restoration efforts will continue

Please remember that the streets are closed to thru traffic, but they will remain open to local residents. For the safety of workers, please avoid driving through the construction sites. No on-street parking is allowed within the construction zone.

May 16, 2025

Progress Report:

Concrete curb and gutter was installed on Sanford south of Summit
Concrete curb and gutter was installed on Columbia between 5^th and Sanford
Sidewalk and driveways are being replaced on Sanford south of Summit and on Columbia, 5^th to Sanford
New water main in Sanford north of Summit was connected to the existing system after passing all the necessary tests last week
New sanitary sewer main was inspected with internal cameras
Some of the last storm drainage pipe was installed with a few more drainage structures
Water services have begun to be replaced on Sanford between Summit and Broadway

Upcoming Work:

Please do not drive over the new concrete for a minimum of 3 full days after it was poured to allow the concrete to cure properly.
Water service lines will continue to be connected to the new water mains in Sanford north of Summit – Please call 616.502.7799 to schedule your water service line replacement.
When water flow is disrupted from connections or valve exercising, customers may experience air in their water lines and discolored water. Be sure to flush all lines, but especially the cold water through a bathtub or faucet without a screen and run until the water is clear.
More sidewalk and driveway approaches will be installed on Columbia west if Sanford and Sanford south of Summit
The last few storm drainage structures will be installed after the old water main can be disconnected and removed
After water services are complete, the road will begin to be rebuilt on Sanford north of Summit with road gravel
Topsoil and restoration will begin to be restored and installed between the curb and sidewalk on Sanford south of Summit

Another view of new sidewalks on Sanford south of Summit.

Conditions of Sanford south of Summit with new concrete curb and gutter, road gravel and new sidewalks being installed.

New concrete curb and gutter and sidewalk installed near Summit and Sanford with the driveway approach formed for concrete.

One of the last few storm drainage structures installed with new storm pipes.

May 9, 2025

Progress Report:

All water main and underground work is complete on Sanford south of Summit and in Summit. The water main tie-in yesterday did not go as smoothly as anticipated, and additional customers were affected due to some old, existing valves that didn’t work like they should have. This required a temporary disruption of water for 4-5 hours for many more residents than initially expected. This underscores the importance of why this work is critical to the entire system to replace valves and water mains so the City can make the system more reliable and resilient in the future.
Water main pipe is completed in Sanford between Summit and Broadway and in Columbia between Sanford and Peck. This water main is going through testing now to ensure safety before it is tied into the system.
The remaining drainage pipes and structures should be completed today on the project.
Gravel road base material has been installed and should be completed today on the 3 blocks of Sanford south of Summit

Upcoming Work:

Beginning Monday, May 12 residents will lose driveway access along Sanford south of Summit. Please have all vehicles out of your driveway before 8AM on Monday morning. Parking may be on the side streets of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Oakwood outside the construction zone. This is for the installation of new concrete curb and gutter and new concrete driveway approaches. The concrete will take a day to prepare and then another day to install, and then 3 full days to cure and strengthen properly before it can take the weight of a vehicle. Parking can take place on Sanford outside of the construction hours of 7AM to 7PM. Affected residents are being individually notified with fliers today.
Once the water main north of Summit has passed all tests, a connection to the existing system will take place. This will likely involve a short disruption of water for a few hours.
Water service lines will be connected to the new water mains in Sanford north of Summit – Please call 616.502.7799 to schedule your water service line replacement.
When water flow is disrupted from connections or valve exercising, customers may experience air in their water lines and discolored water. Be sure to flush all lines, but especially the cold water through a bathtub or faucet without a screen and run until the water is clear.
After water services are complete, the road will begin to be rebuilt on Sanford north of Summit with road gravel like how Sanford looks now south of Summit.

10-inch line stop installed on Oakwood east of Sanford to temporarily stop the flow of water.

Current condition of Sanford south of Summit.

Another look at Sanford conditions, just north of Oakwood.

May 2, 2025

Progress Report:

Sanitary Sewer main and new sewer services are complete in Sanford between Broadway and Summit
New water main installed in Sanford between Broadway and almost to Summit
New water main installed in Columbia between Sanford and almost to Peck
Completed the last few water services in Sanford south of Summit to the new water main

Upcoming Work:

Last water main tie-in at Sanford and Oakwood is currently scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2025. This will create a short water disruption for customers along Oakwood between 6^th and Sanford and the 3200 block of 5^th Street.
When water flow is disrupted from connections or valve exercising, customers may experience air in their water lines and discolored water. Be sure to flush all lines, but especially the cold water through a bathtub or faucet without a screen and run until the water is clear.
On Monday, May 5, the road will begin to be rebuilt on Sanford south of Summit. This involves removing roughly 1-foot of surface there is now, compacting the sand and then placing compacted gravel for a good road base. Access will be difficult until the gravel is placed.
Once gravel is placed on all 3 blocks of Sanford, new concrete curb and gutter will be installed, likely the week of May 12
Remove the remaining roadway on Columbia between Sanford and Peck
New storm drainage structures and pipe on Sanford between Broadway and Summit

Crews installing new 8-inch water main on Sanford, south of Columbia

April 25, 2025

Progress Report:

Storm water drains, pipes and structures were completed on Sanford south of Summit
Nearly all water services on Sanford south of Summit are now connected to the new water main
Sanitary sewer main and new sewer services are complete from Broadway to south of Columbia in Sanford
Began water main installation on Sanford at Broadway

Upcoming Work:

Complete water services on Sanford between Oakwood and Summit
Water main connections at Amsterdam and Sanford and at Sanford and Oakwood. This will involve water disruptions for the following areas on Monday, April 28, 2025 between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM:
- 3300 block of Sanford
- 2900-3100 blocks of Jefferson
- 3000-3200 blocks of Glendale
- 3000-3100 blocks of 5^th Street
When water flow is disrupted from connections or valve exercising, customers may experience air in their water lines and discolored water. Be sure to flush all lines, but especially the cold water through a bathtub or faucet without a screen and run until the water is clear.
After Monday, the road will begin to be rebuilt on Sanford south of Summit. This involves removing roughly 1-foot of surface there is now, compacting the sand and then placing compacted gravel for a good road base. Access will be difficult until the gravel is placed.
Once gravel is placed on all 3 blocks of Sanford, new concrete curb and gutter will be installed, likely the week of May 5
Complete the sanitary sewer main and services on Sanford north of Summit.
Remove the remaining roadway on Columbia between Sanford and Peck
Begin installation of new water main on Sanford between Broadway and Summit and on Columbia between Sanford and Peck.
Also, construction will begin on Broadway between Sanford and Reynolds as a part of the improvements to Broadway. This will involve road closures and detours on Broadway beginning Monday, April 28, 2025. More information on that project here: https://broadwayavenue.my.canva.site/

Crews installing new water main in Sanford near Broadway

Condition of Sanford near Rotterdam, looking south

Condition of Sanford looking north from Columbia

April 18, 2025

Progress Report:

Storm sewer was installed in Sanford from Summit to Rotterdam
Over half of the residents on Sanford between Summit and Oakwood have now been connected to the new water main
Sanitary sewer main has been replaced from Broadway south to Columbia in Sanford

Upcoming Work:

Finish replacing water services on Sanford between Oakwood and Summit
Once underground utilities are completed on Sanford between Summit and Oakwood, there will be more water main tie ins which will impact water for customers between Peck and 6^th Street, Oakwood to Summit for a few hours at a time. Once all water services are connected to the new water main south of Summit, the old water main will be taken out of service and the road can begin to be re-built.
Finish installing new storm drains in the intersection of Sanford and Rotterdam and any other drainage structures in Sanford between Summit and Oakwood
Continue replacing sanitary sewer main on Sanford south of Broadway to Summit
Once sanitary sewer main is completed on Sanford between Summit and Broadway, the contractor will begin replacing the water main in these 2 blocks as well as Columbia between Sanford and Peck. After the water main is completed, new storm drains can be installed in these blocks.
When water flow is disrupted from connections or valve exercising, customers may experience air in their water lines and discolored water. Be sure to flush all lines, but especially the cold water through a bathtub or faucet without a screen and run until the water is clear.

New drainage structures in Sanford south of Summit

Excavation for new water service being installed in Amsterdam

April 11, 2025

Progress Report:

New sanitary sewer manhole was completed in the intersection of Amsterdam and Sanford
Storm structures and drain lines were installed in the intersection of Amsterdam and Sanford
Underground work was completed in the Summit and Sanford intersections and Summit was reopened to traffic. It is on gravel for now until paving operations are ready on the other streets so they can all be paved at the same time.
New sanitary sewer was installed in the intersection of Sanford and Broadway and new sanitary sewer main is being installed south from Broadway to Columbia
New storm sewer is being installed in Sanford south of Summit
Roughly a third of the water services have been replaced on Sanford between Oakwood and Summit to the new water main

Upcoming Work:

Continue replacing water services on Sanford between Oakwood and Summit
Continue installing new storm sewer on Sanford south of Summit to Rotterdam and new drains in the Rotterdam intersection
Continue replacing sanitary sewer main on Sanford south of Broadway to Summit
Once underground utilities are completed on Sanford between Summit and Oakwood, there will be more water main tie ins which will impact water for customers between Peck and 6^th Street, Oakwood to Summit for a few hours at a time. Once all water services are connected to the new water main south of Summit, the old water main will be taken out of service and the road can begin to be re-built.
Once sanitary sewer main is completed on Sanford between Summit and Broadway, the contractor will begin replacing the water main in these 2 blocks as well as Columbia between Sanford and Peck. After the water main is completed, new storm drains can be installed in these blocks.
When water flow is disrupted from connections or valve exercising, customers may experience air in their water lines and discolored water. Be sure to flush all lines, but especially the cold water through a bathtub or faucet without a screen and run until the water is clear.

Current condition of Summit near Sanford until paving operations begin

Crews tapping new copper water services to the new water main

Muskegon Heights - Sanford Street, Oakwood Avenue to Broadway Avenue and Columbia Avenue, 5th Street to Peck Street

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