Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hays Road Bridge topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council delays Hayes Road bridge cost-share while adding pedestrian barrier option
Summary
Council postponed a cost-sharing agreement for rehabilitation of the Hayes Road bridge over the Clinton River to allow inclusion of a pedestrian separation barrier; county and Clinton Township are reviewing sidewalk and barrier options and the project could proceed with barrier inclusion in a revised agreement.
Sterling Heights — The City Council on Tuesday voted to indefinitely postpone approval of a cost-share agreement with Clinton Township and the Macomb County Department of Roads for rehabilitation of the Hayes Road bridge over the Clinton River, while pursuing a revision that would add a pedestrian separation barrier to the project.
City engineer Brent Bayshaw told the council the county originally proposed reconstruction work funded with roughly $1,140,000 in federal funds, $321,000 from the county, and $160,000 apiece from Sterling Heights and Clinton Township. The scope reviewed by the council included beam repairs, new expansion joints, deck patching and epoxy overlay, and replacement of the existing sidewalk on the bridge.
Bayshaw said county staff indicated they are willing to add a pedestrian separation barrier similar to one recently installed on Quentin Road over M-53; he estimated the city’s cost for that barrier at about $150,000 to be funded from the city’s major-road fund. He said adding the barrier would not delay the county’s project schedule.
Bayshaw recommended postponing the current agreement and directing staff to seek a revised cost-share that includes the barrier. He said sidewalk construction to connect the bridge to surrounding neighborhoods could be included in the city’s priority sidewalk-gap program with construction possible in 2026 and easement acquisition beginning in 2025, funded from planned PPP millage funds.
Councilmembers applauded the potential for a safer pedestrian connection and asked staff to coordinate with Clinton Township and the county. Councilmember Radke called the potential linkage to Rotary Park and the ITC trail an important connectivity opportunity. Council voted to postpone the December agreement and asked staff to return with a revised cost-share to include the pedestrian separation barrier if Clinton Township and the county agree.
Bayshaw said the county plans to bundle the Hayes Road bridge work with rehabilitation of the Utica Road bridge over the Clinton River and that Clinton Township is considering sidewalks for both bridges. If Clinton Township proceeds, the county can update the agreement and Sterling Heights could adopt the barrier inclusion at a subsequent meeting.
