Projects

For the residents of Bronson, a small city with a rich history and many pre-1940 homes, aging infrastructure had become more than just a nuisance. Crumbling storm and sanitary sewer lines were causing sewage backups into homes and forcing road closures, particularly in the neighborhood south of US-12 on Ruggles and Compton Streets. Much of the city’s underground infrastructure was over six decades old, with some components, like the storm sewer system, exceeding 80 years.

In 2020, Bronson received a boost through Infrastructure & Resiliency funding from the MEDC CDBG program, securing $1.32 million toward an extensive infrastructure renewal project. The focus was on resolving drainage and reliability issues in a severely flat area where outdated clay pipes were cracked and frequently overwhelmed by storm events.

The improvements were extensive. Roadways were rebuilt at corrected elevations to improve drainage, and curbs were added to direct runoff effectively. Sidewalks were widened to five feet, and ADA ramps were upgraded at every intersection, making the neighborhood more walkable and inclusive. Beneath the surface, the original clay sanitary pipes were replaced with modern PVC, and the existing water main was upgraded to a more reliable, larger ductile iron pipe to support better water flow and fire protection. Compton received new storm infrastructure for the first time, and stormwater from Ruggles, Compton, and nearby Mowry Street was redirected to drain into US-12.

Residents of Bronson now benefit from safer streets, fewer backups, and a more resilient system that supports the city’s future.

The City of Wyoming operates the Donald K. Shine Water Treatment Plant in Holland, a vital facility providing water to over 235,000 residents across Ottawa and Kent Counties. Established in the 1960s with an initial capacity of 32 million gallons per day (mgd), the plant has grown to accommodate regional demands and in 2024 has a treatment capacity of 120 mgd and an average daily discharge of 40 mgd. The plant services a wide range of communities, including Zeeland, Park, Olive, Blendon, Holland, Georgetown, Jamestown, Gaines, and Byron Townships, as well as the cities of Wyoming, Hudsonville, Grandville, and parts of Kentwood. Water is conveyed through two large diameter transmission mains, with a third transmission main planned for the future.

In July 2020, amid peak water demand season, the facility faced a significant challenge when one of the two transmission mains failed near the plant, effectively removing half of the City’s transmission capacity. The failure required immediate emergency repair during which interconnections to adjacent water suppliers were utilized and a sprinkling ban was implemented to reduce water demand.

The emergency repair jumpstarted a subsequent project to replace and enhance the City’s existing yard piping to address underlying concerns identified while investigating potential causes for the pipe failure. The expedited yard piping project was initiated in the Fall of 2020 with a target completion date of Spring 2022.

To meet this accelerated schedule, Prein&Newhof partnered with international engineering firm, Black&Veatch, to provide the City of Wyoming a valuable engineering team with local expertise and responsiveness partnered with the knowledge and resources of a large firm.

The project included the installation of a new 54-inch steel pipe within the plant’s yard and the addition of six metal-seated AWWA ball valves—five 54-inch and one 42-inch. These valves were strategically placed to allow for the isolation of different segments of the transmission main, facilitating easier maintenance and repairs. Additionally, a section of the existing 54-inch transmission main on New Holland Street was replaced to ensure proper thrust restraint and to reinforce the system. Lastly, the yard piping project included a connection point for the third planned transmission main.

The Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center (MCRCC), a vast 11,000-acre water treatment system, required an updated Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to meet federal compliance. This plan included revised maps identifying potential inundation areas for five dam break scenarios, helping authorities respond quickly to minimize damage and protect infrastructure and water resources. The maps detailed inundation boundaries, worst-case flood elevations, and flood arrival times.

To estimate the potential inundation areas, the project team employed the HEC-RAS 2-D model, simulating various dam failure scenarios. Using GIS data, they prepared detailed inundation maps that identified boundaries, worst-case flood elevations, and flood arrival times. The analysis focused on the largest inundation areas and the quickest flood arrival times across five different scenarios to ensure a thorough and effective emergency response plan.

Scenario 1: Most Probable Best-Case Scenario

The East Lagoon experiences a breach at the seepage point, while the West Lagoon remains isolated, with the failure occurring at the lagoon’s lowest depth.

Scenario 2: Most Probable Average-Case Scenario

The West Lagoon breaches at the seepage point, while the East Lagoon remains isolated, with the failure occurring at the lagoon’s average depth.

Scenario 3: Worst-Case Scenario – Terror Attack at Deepest Depth

In an act of terrorism, both lagoons are breached simultaneously—one at the corner of the West Lagoon near the cell phone tower, and the other at the corner of the East Lagoon by the center berm wall. This results in the destruction of the center berm/dike road. The scenario assumes the lagoons are at maximum depth during the breach.

Scenario 4: Most Probable Worst-Case Scenario

The lagoon breaches at the seepage point, while the West Lagoon remains isolated, with the failure occurring at the lagoon’s maximum depth.

Scenario 5: Breach on the North Side of the East Lagoon

The East Lagoon breaches near the South Irrigation Pump Station on the northeast side of the berm, while the West Lagoon remains isolated. The failure occurs with the lagoon at its maximum depth.

Scenarios 1-4 simulated breaches along the southern edge of the MCRCC lagoons, sending floodwaters toward Mona Lake via the Black Creek Drain. Scenario 5 modeled a breach near the East Lagoon, diverting some floodwaters to both the Muskegon River and Black Creek Drain.

Modeling produced comprehensive inundation maps, GIS data, videos, and a detailed summary report, all designed to strengthen the MCRCC’s EAP. These enhancements ensure better preparedness, regulatory compliance, and improved emergency response, while building public trust and maintaining operational continuity—ultimately protecting lives, property, and the environment.

The City of Kalamazoo has been working to identify and replace all lead or potential lead water service lines in its system. Over the past five years, it has replaced more than 3,800 lead services and identified approximately 1,343 more in the neighborhood south of Gull Road and east of the Kalamazoo River. In compliance with Michigan state requirements, the city implemented a program to replace all lead lines to ensure the health and safety of its residents.

Copper was selected as the replacement material for its sustainability, lifespan, and low environmental and health impacts. The project aimed to be completed in one construction season, with regular progress meetings ensuring timely execution. The city coordinated its road projects with Kalamazoo County Road Commission projects to minimize costs and inconvenience to residents.

In 2024, the City of Kalamazoo reached its halfway goal of 5,000 lead service replacements. The city has worked diligently to leverage funding from both State of Michigan and federal sources for the service replacements, which has significantly reduced the rate impacts of the replacement work. The city continues to proactively engage with residents and move forward with the end goal of removing all the lead from its system as quickly as possible.

Public communication has included printed materials being sent to residents, public meetings to facilitate dynamic discussions, and easily accessible web pages to make getting information more convenient for residents.

Pottawattomie Park, situated on Pottawattomie Bayou, is known for kayaking, swimming, fishing, and hiking. It was facing severe challenges from rapid shoreline erosion, flooding, and deteriorating infrastructure, including an aging dock and boardwalk. The shoreline’s erosion due to poor soil conditions, lack of vegetation, and groundwater seepage, threatening both its usability and environmental health.

To address these issues, Grand Haven Charter Township implemented natural shoreline techniques to prevent erosion, improve water access, and restore wetlands. The plan included restricting water access to certain areas, restoring shorelines with native plantings, and removing outdated boardwalks, docks, and sidewalks. New pathways were designed to support wetland growth, and native vegetation was added along 100 feet of shoreline.

The project stabilized the shoreline, enhanced the park experience, and created a more inviting environment with a universally accessible kayak launch and a defined sandy beach area. These improvements ensure the park remains a valuable community asset while preserving its natural beauty.

Grand Haven Charter Township faced the challenge of developing a new community park on nearly 70 acres of donated land, with a tight deadline to avoid losing the land. The project required meticulous planning, budgeting, and community engagement to bring the vision to life.

The successful passing of a recreational millage was driven by detailed cost estimates and renderings. The Township worked with the Northwest Ottawa Recreation Commission and local pickleball enthusiasts to determine the park’s needs, resulting in a design that includes soccer fields, baseball and softball fields, and pickleball courts.

Infrastructure was prioritized, with sanitary sewer and water mains installed before mass grading. The park includes amenities like elevated boardwalks, restrooms, parking, and shelters, and features the Jo-Jo Jogging Trail, which winds through 15 acres of wooded uplands.

The use of local subcontractors supported the community and ensured high-quality construction. A fund for ongoing maintenance, established by land donor Jim Schmidt, guarantees the park’s long-term sustainability. Schmidt Heritage Park now stands as a vibrant recreational hub, a testament to community collaboration and vision.

A three-mile stretch along Lake Huron in Sanilac County, MI became impacted by sewage contamination after years of failing septic systems allowed untreated wastewater to flow to surface waters, threatening both the environment and public health. In 2003, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (now EGLE) identified this area as a critical environmental hazard and placed it on the state’s list of impaired water bodies. Testing revealed dangerously high levels of fecal coliform and E. coli, prompting EGLE to issue a directive: Worth Township was required to develop a comprehensive wastewater collection and treatment system to protect public health and restore water quality.

After years of legal disputes and planning delays, the project finally advanced in 2012 with support from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP). The design team faced numerous challenges, including deep ravines, incomplete infrastructure records, and complex financing requirements. By refining the original design—reducing the number of pump stations from 14 to eight and opting for a lagoon treatment facility—they significantly lowered life cycle costs while meeting strict environmental standards. Completed in 2019, the sewer infrastructure system now provides residents with modern, reliable  wastewater collection and treatment.

This initiative not only resolved critical environmental issues but also helps secure the long-term health of its community.

Located in Shelby, MI, approximately 8 miles from Lake Michigan, Oceana County Airport features a 3,500-foot runway accommodating various aircraft for landing, refueling, and overnight stays. Open to the public 24/7, it serves as a gateway to attractions like Silver Lake Sand Dunes, state parks, Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo, and Double JJ Resort.

To maintain the runway’s quality and avoid the high costs of a full replacement, Oceana County Airport undertook a project to restore its Pavement Condition Index (PCI) ratings. Runway 9/27, the terminal apron, and connecting taxiways initially had PCI ratings ranging from 33 to 61. The most deteriorated sections were removed and replaced, while a cost-effective surface treatment, FAA P-629 thermoplastic coal tar emulsion (“Grip-Flex”), was applied to the remaining areas.

Wide cracks in the pavement were sealed with a polymer-based sealant to ensure long-term flexibility and durability. The project included sealing cracks, treating the surface, marking the pavement, and applying hot mix asphalt to restore the roadway’s integrity and extend its lifespan.

Despite delays from a labor strike, the work was completed in Spring 2019 at the original bid prices, successfully preserving the airport’s functionality and extending the pavement’s life.

Heritage Landing, a county park on Muskegon Lake, faced severe erosion issues due to rising lake levels submerging its timber wall. This led to shoreline erosion that jeopardized the park’s infrastructure and the safety of its peninsula, used for docking ships.

An engineering study revealed that the timber wall was structurally unsound. The solution involved replacing it with a higher steel sheet pile wall, designed to better protect the peninsula. This project required permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and EGLE, along with bid document creation and construction oversight.

Additionally, a Great Lakes cruising company planned to add Muskegon to its itinerary but needed a new dock for their 325-foot-long ships. A new dock was designed to align with the ships’ boarding points and minimize environmental impact by using piles driven into the subsurface, avoiding the need to fill bottomland.

The new steel sheet pile wall effectively safeguarded the peninsula, while the dock was completed ahead of schedule, enabling the first cruise ship to dock by early summer 2016. This project not only protected Heritage Landing but also enhanced its appeal as a destination for Great Lakes cruises.