Dearborn awards nearly $700,000 to pave Rulo Gravel alley in pilot project; sanitary sewer replacement included

The Dearborn City Council on Sept. 23 authorized a contract to pave a gravel alley in the Rulo area and to replace failing sanitary sewer infrastructure beneath it.

Council approved awarding the Rulo Gravel Alley pilot contract to PONIO Contracting LLC for $697,265 and authorized a $100,000 contingency for change orders. City engineering said the alley — north of Lapeer, south of Eagle, east of Rulo and west of Amazon — is in poor condition, has a broken sanitary sewer line and creates dust, potholes and mud tracked onto adjacent properties.

Deputy DPW Director (presenting for engineering) said the sanitary sewer line needs replacement and that the concrete paving will allow installation of catch basins and proper drainage that are not feasible on the unpaved surface. The project will connect each property to a new service line and will be funded from the sewer fund and capital project money, staff said.

Council members discussed whether all alleys in Dearborn will be paved going forward. DPW and engineering staff said the pilot addresses a specific sanitary‑sewer need and that not every alley is suitable for paving; staff said they will develop a multi‑year plan and identify which alleys are eligible after assessing underground infrastructure needs.

Councilmember Leslie Herrick requested communications to residents about who owns and maintains alleys; staff agreed to provide a map to clarify which alleys are city property and which are private/abutting properties with easements. The vote to award the contract and authorize the contingency was unanimous.