City staff updated the Warren City Council on Nov. 25 about delays on the 13 Mile Road reconstruction between Hoover and Van Dyke, attributing the setbacks to unforeseen underground conditions and design changes.

A city representative (Ms. Gapschius was identified earlier in the meeting as the presenter) said crews encountered the need to reroute water mains and to cut through an encased steel storm sewer that was not identified in as‑builts, which slowed progress. The city’s temporary approach is to open the newly poured north‑side pavement for winter traffic and shift traffic so there will be one lane each way on the north side and temporary pavement to provide driveway access on the south side. Full south‑side construction will resume in spring.

Councilmembers and a resident raised safety and liability concerns. One councilmember pressed whether the contractor would be held responsible for damage to infrastructure; staff said the contractor has paid for the culvert saw cutting and the city will seek reimbursement where appropriate, but added that old as‑builts and subsurface conditions sometimes require on‑the‑fly design changes.

A resident and several councilmembers described the temporary driving conditions as hazardous, particularly at night and for vulnerable drivers, and asked how many claims the city has received. City staff said the plan is to shift traffic within weeks, maintain turns and ramps, and provide temporary driveway pavement so that properties remain accessible; the county and state have approved the traffic configuration.

The council did not take a formal vote on the construction update; staff said they will provide corrected numbers and follow up on liability, claim counts and the schedule for final completion.