Projects

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.

Lakewood Boulevard in Holland became a hotspot of construction activity during the summer of 2022, far surpassing the usual residential and beach traffic. The Holland Board of Public Works installed a new transmission main to expand the water distribution system’s capacity, ensuring it could meet the demands of the area’s rapid growth and development.

This intense project condensed a decade of planned infrastructure upgrades into a single construction season, thanks to coordinated efforts with regional stakeholders. By aligning multiple projects, construction costs were slashed, future disruptions minimized, and environmental impact reduced. The eight-month timeline resulted in substantial cost savings for multiple communities, while minimizing disruptions for residents and businesses.

The scope grew to include Park Township and Holland Charter Township’s improvements, as well as a water main modification by the Zeeland Board of Public Works (ZBPW). Key challenges, like crossing a creek via horizontal directional drilling and mitigating environmental contamination, were met. Utility upgrades were also completed, with collaboration between HBPW, Ottawa County Road Commission, ZBPW, the townships to optimize funding and enhance Lakewood’s infrastructure. OCRC repaved Lakewood and installed safety improvements.

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. This practical, community-focused solution 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.