Wayne County seeks temporary easement to repair separated storm sewer near Belleville Lake

Wayne County public works staff told commissioners on Oct. 11 that an emergency procurement is underway to repair separated storm sewer pipes on a steep slope above Belleville Lake in Van Buren Township, and that construction will wait until the county secures a temporary access easement from private property owners.

County Executive Project Manager Catherine Chung said engineers found three separated pipe locations where water intended to discharge into Belleville Lake was instead draining into the ground, creating a void and softening the slope. "It's a really steep slope," Chung said, adding the design included topographical and geotechnical analysis and took about four to six weeks to complete; design work was finished the prior week.

The county has identified a construction vendor but cannot begin the emergency construction phase until it secures a temporary easement to build an access road from private property, Chung said, noting the storm sewer is too large to access by barge. Commissioners asked about public-safety measures; staff said barricades are in place at the site.

The planned construction includes repairing the storm sewer and stabilizing the slope to prevent further erosion or collapse into Belleville Lake. County staff characterized the procurement as an emergency action to forestall more severe damage and to protect nearby properties.

The commission approved a block motion covering items 1–9, which included this emergency procurement, by roll call vote Oct. 11.