Author: Chris Mattson

Work Nearly Complete At Bauer Drain

| Chris Mattson

The work areas that have been occupied by heavy construction equipment over the past 18 months are starting to green up with new vegetation as the Bauer Drain and Sycamore Creek Mitigation Project draws to a close. Contractors are working on finishing touches on-site including grass growth and other minor adjustments and corrections as the newly relocated Drain flows under Grimes Road and around the tank storage facilities. The Hayhoe Riverwalk in the City of Mason has residents and wildlife alike enjoying the improvements along the Sycamore Creek.

Minor work items will be completed within the next month before final completion status is reached. If you have any questions or concerns with the conditions of the work site, please contact Terry Belill, inspector, 989-996-5228.

Major Construction Wraps-up at Bauer Drain

| Chris Mattson

Over the past month, the contractor has worked to complete the last major work items on the drain and prepare the site to be seeded so that vegetation may be restored to disturbed areas. This work included the restoration of laydown areas and hauling routes, installation of trash racks on pipe ends, and placing concrete for the final junction chamber cap.

Over the next several weeks, regular inspections will be made to monitor the grass growth and correct any deficiencies noted. Additional work will be needed at each junction chamber to install access hatches and other items, which will take place over the next few months.

If you have any questions or concerns with the conditions of the work site, please contact Terry Belill, inspector, 989-996-5228.

GRIMES ROAD CLOSED FOR PAVING MAY 19, 2022

| Chris Mattson

Paving on Grimes Road is scheduled to conclude today following the placement of the final top course of asphalt on the western (southbound) lane. Paving will begin around 12:30PM today, and Grimes Road will be closed to through traffic, traffic shall detour via Mt. Pleasant Road. The western (southbound) lane cannot be driven on while the asphalt cools. After the fresh asphalt has cooled the road will be opened to traffic, likely around 6:00PM or later, pending any delays with the placement of the asphalt and the forecasted warm weather conditions. The following properties will be inaccessible to vehicle traffic between 12:30PM and 6:00PM:

  1. 2716 Grimes Road-Davis
  2. 2700 Grimes Road-Gordon
  3. 2570 Grimes Road-Bauer
  4. 2340 Grimes Road-Guinan
  5. Farms and Vacant Properties west side of Grimes Road (Glenn, Bauer, and Tri-State)

There will be staff on-site throughout the day to assist with conflicts, coordination and assistance. If access or coordination is needed, please contact one of the following on-site contacts:

  1. Construction Inspector, Terry Belill (989) 996-5228
  2. Project Manager, Chris Mattson (989) 213-6365
  3. Drain Engineer, Angie Cosman (517) 719-5431
  4. Ingham County Deputy Drain Commissioner, Carla Clos (517) 719-4913

BAUER DRAIN WINTER WORK

| Chris Mattson

Work through the winter months has been dependent on weather conditions; however, a lot of progress has been made on-site with the Bauer Drain Relocation project. The primary work items include junction chamber construction and channel grading work adjacent to the petroleum storage properties.

Four junction chambers have been constructed on-site. The first two were constructed on the relocated Drain adjacent to the Enbridge and Vector pipelines to provide access for maintenance of the Drain under the pipelines. The third chamber was constructed along Grimes Road to act as an isolation point for stormwater runoff from Enbridge’s terminal facility. The last chamber was constructed west of Mt. Pleasant Road as an isolation point for stormwater from the Wolverine and Marathon properties. All chamber’s are currently secured using steel plates, as their lids are being manufactured off-site.

Work to fill and re-grade the existing channel, according to EGLE Permit No. WRP023342 v. 1, is currently underway for sections of the channel between Grimes Road and Mt Pleasant Road. This work also includes the removal, installation, and reconfiguration of several Drain crossings.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Terry Belill, inspector, 989-996-5228.

JACK AND BORE CROSSINGS COMPLETE

| Chris Mattson

All jack and bore crossings of petroleum pipelines are now concluded, with the completion of the Enbridge and Vector bores just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Lowe Construction was on-site to perform the work. A 48″ diameter steel pipe was bored under the oil and gas utilities to provide for a trenchless crossing. Safety coordination and utility representative oversight was top priority as the work progressed. This crossing was completed safely and without incident.

Preparations for cast-in-place concrete structures began immediately following the completion of the bore. These and other drainage structures, as well as storm sewer installation will take place next to connect the bored steel pipe to the already installed portion of the relocated Bauer Drain. All this work is in an effort to conclude major work items along Grimes Road before the end of 2021, weather dependent.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Terry Belill, inspector, 989-996-5228.

GRIMES ROAD WORK CONTINUES BETWEEN BORES

| Chris Mattson

With the completion of the jack and bore crossing under Wolverine Pipe Line utilities, contractors on-site continue with work items southward along Grimes Road. Jackson Dirt Works resumed pipe installation, connecting to the newly bored steel pipe with manhole structures. Their pipe installation efforts take them south toward the location of the next jack and bore crossing.

Lowe Construction has been working to prepare the next jack and bore crossing under Enbridge Energy utilities. Extensive coordination and preparation has been undertaken to ready the site for the crossing work including phone and power utility relocation, temporary fencing, and deep and shallow dewatering systems. Dewatering efforts will be managed for the next 7-10 days, ahead of the crossing which is planned to commence the week of October 25, weather dependent.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Terry Belill, inspector, 989-996-5228.

JACK AND BORE CROSSING IN GRIMES ROAD

| Chris Mattson

Jack and bore crossings of petroleum pipelines began last week and were completed Monday, September 20. This is the first of two jack and bore crossings to be completed on the project. Lowe Construction was on-site to perform the work. A 48″ diameter steel pipe was bored under the Wolverine Pipe Line utilities to provide for a trenchless crossing. Safety coordination and utility representative oversight was top priority as the work progressed. This crossing was completed safely and without incident.

Storm sewer installation will continue to connect the bored steel pipe to the already installed portion of the relocated Bauer Drain. Preparations will begin within the next week to perform the remaining jack and bore operation under petroleum pipelines on the other portions of the project.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Terry Belill, inspector, 989-996-5228.

WORK WITHIN GRIMES ROAD PROGRESSING

| Chris Mattson

Work is progressing satisfactorily to construct the relocated Bauer Drain within Grimes Road. Crews have been diligently installing the 48-inch diameter storm sewer, manhole structures, and the base material for the restored roadway. Grimes Road is still closed and will remain closed until the pipe installation is complete. A posted detour route via Mt. Pleasant Road is in place and can be found on our Project Maps page.

In addition to pipe installation, crews are also preparing for the trenchless crossings under critical petroleum pipelines. All of the petroleum pipelines are being positively identified ahead of time by means of hydro-excavation so that we may safely cross under the critical utilities. On-site personnel is working closely with pipeline safety representatives as the crossings work approaches.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Terry Belill, inspector, 989-996-5228.