Projects

A pipeline beneath the Grand River, installed in 1972, carried 3.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of wastewater from Ferrysburg, Spring Lake Township, and the Village of Spring Lake to the GHSLSA treatment plant. Buried just 3 to 5 feet below the riverbed, the ductile iron pipe had suffered two major failures due to anchor strikes and corrosion, resulting in significant spills.

In 2017, the Ottawa County Road Commission and GHSLSA launched a project to upgrade sewer lift stations, improve the treatment plant, and replace the aging force main. An evaluation of the situation led to the recommendation of installing a larger, corrosion-resistant pipeline, buried deeper to prevent future damage and accommodate the growing community’s increased wastewater demands.

The project was divided into two phases: land work and the river crossing. After evaluating various methods, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) was selected for the river crossing due to its minimal impact on the environment, protection of endangered species, and ability to install the pipeline deeper. The HDD process began in Spring Lake Village, utilizing sound barriers and vibration monitoring to reduce disturbances. The pilot hole was drilled, and the new pipeline was installed in a continuous 13-hour operation, with sections fused during installation.

Once the river crossing was completed, the land sections on both sides were connected to the new pipeline, allowing the early transfer of wastewater to the new system. The upgrade increased the pipeline’s capacity ensuring a safer, more resilient infrastructure capable of handling future growth.

Bath Charter Township faced significant challenges with its outdated wastewater collection system, including an aging, corroded sewer line and limited capacity to handle heavy rainfall. During storms, one of the Township’s main lift stations required manual operation to prevent downstream overflows.

Bath Township had identified the challenge as part of its 2016 State Revolving Fund planning efforts, but needed a partner to help identify an effective solution. The township reviewed alternatives and developed a comprehensive plan, which included installing an oversized trunk sewer to act as an equalization storage basin, replacement of the troublesome lift station with a new lift station, enhanced lift station controls allowing the new station to communicate with downstream stations, and removal of an additional unnecessary lift station.

In true “Seeing Farther” fashion, the project was also designed for a future second phase to allow for additional equalization storage and elimination of another lift station believed to also contribute corrosion and capacity issues elsewhere in Bath’s collection system.

This project addressed immediate capacity and corrosion concerns, increased flexibility and response times for operators, and also bought the Township time to prepare for future upgrades.

Cannon Township created a charming 10-foot-wide trail over a half mile long that connects Townsend Park to the historic downtown Cannonsburg, offering a scenic three-mile route from Cannon Township Hall to downtown. This paved trail features a striking 40-foot prefabricated bridge over Bear Creek and a 100-foot wooden boardwalk that gracefully spans the floodplain and wetlands. Built to MDOT H-10 loading standards, it can handle emergency vehicles while still maintaining a tranquil, park-like atmosphere. Special care was taken to protect Bear Creek, a cold-water trout stream, ensuring the trail met all environmental standards.

To maintain Townsend Park’s distinctive character, an old gravel parking lot was transformed with topsoil, steps, and tree plantings, blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Cannon Township secured easements and worked closely with the Kent County Parks Department and local property owners to ensure smooth integration and enhance the trail’s beauty.

Designing the trail to meet ADA requirements posed some challenges, such as keeping the trail grade under five percent, which required cutting into the wooded hillsides. Retaining walls, grassy slopes, and new tree plantings were used to create a functional and attractive trail. Special seed mixes were planted on steep slopes to prevent erosion and maintain the environment’s integrity.

With permits from EGLE, the construction was carefully monitored to minimize impacts on the stream and wetlands, ensuring that the natural beauty of the area was preserved for everyone to enjoy.

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, established in 1963, is located along the scenic Lake Michigan shoreline south of Muskegon. It offers campsites, beach access, a visitor center, and hiking trails. A highlight of the park is the 4.1-mile pedestrian loop trail featuring a dune climb with a 193-step wooden staircase. This stairway leads to the top of one of the tallest parabolic dunes in the park, providing stunning views of Lake Michigan.

The decades-old stairway had come to a point where it needed replacement. Leaning posts, sagging stairs, and rotting timbers caused safety and accessibility concerns. The initial plan was to replace both the stairway and observation deck at the same time, but budget availability resulted in first replacing the stairway, which was the most crucial part to replace.

Due to the site’s remote location and sensitive environment, careful methods were needed to deliver construction materials without damaging the critical dunes. The area’s dense woods and steep slopes limited access, making small-wheeled vehicles the best option for transporting and installing materials.

Hoffmaster State Park staff led the team to design a longer-lasting replacement for the dune climb stairway and observation deck that increased the size, improved the view at overlooks, and widened the walkways to allow a safer and more appealing environment for educational events. A crucial element of this project was to improve the experience of thousands of students who visit the site every year to learn about the dune environment. This historic, unique, and valuable feature of Hoffmaster State Park will see more visitors and opportunities in the decades to come.

The Fred Meijer Standale Trail, a scenic 6.5-mile route linking Walker and Grand Rapids, faced a major safety challenge where it intersected with the busy Lake Michigan Drive, a key thoroughfare in the area. Without a designated crossing option like a pedestrian tunnel or bridge, trail users were left to navigate five lanes of fast-moving traffic at street level. This posed a serious safety risk, particularly for the many GVSU students and other pedestrians who relied on the trail for commuting and recreation.

Rather than choosing one of the less expensive at-grade solutions, the decision was made to construct a pedestrian tunnel, offering a safer and uninterrupted path for trail users. Inspired by successful designs in Greenville and the nearby Meijer Corporate Campus on Three Mile Road, this tunnel incorporates a plaza, retaining walls, lighting, and landscaping to enhance the overall user experience.

Collaboration with key stakeholders such as MDOT, Consumers Energy, and the City of Grand Rapids was essential to addressing utility challenges and ensuring the tunnel’s smooth integration into the community. The result is a practical, community-focused solution that improves safety while creating a welcoming environment for GVSU students, commuters, and recreational users alike.

The result is a vital, community-centered solution that blends practical functionality with aesthetic appeal, ensuring both safety and a welcoming environment for GVSU students, commuters, and recreational users alike.

As Michigan’s regional trail network grows, crossing major highways has become a safety concern. In Ionia, the busy M-66 posed a challenge for Phase II of the Grand River Valley Rail Trail. A pedestrian traffic study demonstrated there were not enough safe crossing gaps, leading MDOT to approve a non-motorized bridge despite higher costs.

The new “Bulldog Blue” bridge, named after Ionia High School’s colors, stands out with its unique arch/truss design. Spanning 80 feet with a 20-foot clearance, it combines functionality and aesthetics, featuring a concrete deck supported by a truss and cable arch. ADA-compliant, the bridge also includes a railroad theme, color-changing lights, and a “Welcome to Ionia” sign, branding the city and boosting economic development. The project included two miles of paved trail through downtown Ionia which was completed in a single season.

Funded by the Meijer Foundation’s maintenance endowment, the trail is part of the 125-mile Fred Meijer River Valley Rail Trail network, and one of the nation’s longest. This network creates “Trail Towns,” boosting local economies, improving quality of life, and promoting health and sustainable travel in communities across Michigan.

In 2014, the City of Cadillac aimed to revitalize its downtown Heritage Plaza to create a vibrant, welcoming space that truly captured the city’s spirit. Partnering with the Michigan Municipal League through the MIplace Partnership initiative, Cadillac developed a PlacePlan to transform the area into Cadillac Commons—a central hub for both residents and visitors.

The re-imagined Cadillac Commons features key attractions including the Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion, The Plaza, The Trailhead, and The Market. Enhancements to the Plaza include a new splash pad, an outdoor fireplace, and a stylish metal arch, all designed to create a more inviting atmosphere. Overhead utilities were relocated underground to maintain a visually appealing downtown.

The Market, a versatile 6,000-square-foot pavilion, is the centerpiece of the transformation. It hosts events such as the Cadillac Farmers’ Market and the Cadillac Made in Michigan Artisan and Farm Market, providing a dynamic space for local vendors and community gatherings. The redevelopment has successfully turned Cadillac Commons into a bustling center for community activities and local culture.

Park Township recognized the need for a strategic approach to managing its extensive park system, which includes trails, playgrounds, and boat launches. To ensure long-term sustainability and effective maintenance, the Township sought a comprehensive plan for asset management.

Leveraging experience from similar projects, a Parks Asset Management Plan (AMP) was proposed. Utilizing GPS technology and digital photography, a detailed inventory of all park assets was created and integrated into a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) platform. This system provides valuable insights into the condition, location, and needs of recreational facilities and natural areas.

The AMP now offers Park Township a clear overview of park assets, directly informing their Five-Year Recreation Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan. This proactive approach enhances maintenance planning, ensures financial sustainability, and helps preserve the quality of the park system, benefiting residents with improved recreational opportunities and long-term cost savings.

As passenger traffic at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City steadily increased, airlines began deploying various aircraft types to meet growing market demands. Recognizing the need to accommodate this growth, TVC collaborated with engineering experts to successfully demonstrate to the FAA that a runway extension was essential for the airport’s capacity and safety.

The project focused on a 400-foot extension of Runway 28 and the relocation of the airport’s only instrument landing system (ILS). These upgrades were strategically aimed at enhancing operational safety and efficiency. Despite the complexity, the airport remained fully operational throughout the project, thanks to a meticulously planned, multi-phase construction approach.

Key project highlights include:

• The glide slope antenna was moved, and a new medium-intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicator lights was installed.
• Temporary and permanent precision approach path indicators were added, and the Automated Surface Observation Station weather equipment was relocated to improve flight safety.

The runway now allows aircraft to operate with minimal load reductions during the summer and provides additional braking distance during winter operations. This upgrade also enables airline pilots to decelerate and turn onto a taxiway closer to the terminal, significantly reducing ground taxi times and minimizing runway occupancy.

The City of Muskegon’s Lakeshore Drive reconstruction was a key project aimed at revitalizing the Lakeside neighborhood and boosting its appeal. The initiative addressed aging infrastructure, a deteriorating road surface, and outdated utilities, all of which limited the area’s growth potential.

City leaders, residents, businesses, and the neighborhood association collaborated closely to shape the project’s vision and ensure it met the community’s needs. The $6 million project involved resurfacing Lakeshore Drive, consolidating two century-old water transmission mains into one, and adding modern amenities such as updated street lighting, crosswalks, benches, bicycle racks, and enhanced landscaping.

The successful completion of the project not only improved essential infrastructure but also transformed the neighborhood into a more inviting space, setting the stage for future waterfront development and greater community engagement.