|
EB 11-Mile Construction Project
While I-696 construction is underway, the City will also be completing a construction project on EB 11-Mile from Southfield Road to east City limits. Based on our recent pre-construction meeting, we are tentatively anticipating this project to start on April 14 and take 6-8 weeks. The project will include reducing the traffic to one lane throughout construction.
Why is this project not delayed until after I-696?
This project is a partially federally funded project that was approved for federal funds nearly 4 years ago (before I-696 reconstruction work was publicized). The funding for this project has limitations as it is obligated to be spent in FY 25. If the City does not complete the project we jeopardize the funding. The construction cost for this project is ~$375,000 with the federal funds covering ~$212,000.
This project is overseen and managed by MDOT with coordination from the City.
What is an MDOT Category B grant?
Category B grants were created and designed as a stopgap measure to provide additional road funding to the smallest communities in Michigan, particularly those with limited ability to fund road projects.
Due to Lathrup Village's size, the City only receives ~$600,000 per year for roads from Act 51 funds (Michigan Transportation Funding). Of that $600K, $400K is dedicated to our Major Streets, leaving only $200K for local streets. This funding is used for everything from day-to-day maintenance to major construction projects. Of note, the City has 7.46 miles of major streets and 21.59 miles of local streets.
The City does not receive enough road funding yearly for a traditional road construction program. The City relies on grants (like Category B), bonds, or road fund balance dollars to complete any substantial road project.
During the May 20, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting, the Council approved a resolution to apply for the MDOT Category B grant which outlined the specific project to be completed. The project will be a resurfacing of Rainbow Circle from Rainbow Drive to Red River North (excluding Red River St intersection) by cold milling and replacing asphalt and removing and replacing existing concrete pavement surface.
This project was recommended for Council approval by the City Administration and Engineering as the road was not a part of the City bond issue and had a PASER rating of 2. A PASER (Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating) rating is a visual inspection method, based on engineering principles, for evaluating the condition of pavement surfaces on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing a new road and 1 a failed road.
The estimated total cost of this project is $590,000 with the Category B grant covering $250,000 (maximum amount awarded), leaving the City Local Road Fund to cover the additional $340,000 through budgeting and fund balance usage.
This is an anticipated spring/summer 2026 project that needs to go through engineering, bidding, and Council contractor approval.
| 
