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Middleville gets update on trail bridges, permits and utility work; construction eyed for 2027
Summary
Engineer Brandon Williams told the council that environmental work for the Ball Honey Trail bridges found a single mussel at one location, a Part 31 environmental permit has been submitted, abutment adjustments are complete and the project aims for 2027 construction pending DNR funding and permits; other street, retaining-wall and wastewater items were also updated.
Brandon Williams of Williams & Works gave the council a multi-item public-works update, reporting progress on the Ball Honey Trail bridge work, road and utility projects, and wastewater-plant repairs.
Williams said environmental consultant ASI Environmental performed mussel surveys and "they did find one" mussel under the northernmost bridge but did not identify the area as prime mussel habitat; the finding did not appear likely to require costly relocation. He said the Part 31 environmental permit has been submitted to the state environmental authority and that plans and plot sheets are being finalized for owner review.
On other work, Williams described adjustments to abutments, preparation of plot sheets (CAD files and hard copies to be provided), and ongoing coordination on the High Street retaining wall where a gas line was inadvertently struck and is awaiting repair by the utility or contractor. He reported Irving Road phase one underground work is nearly complete and phase two is in design. Railroad Street is in design and will go to bid soon.
At the wastewater treatment plant, Williams said Aquaerobics will supply replacement fine-air aerator membranes and acknowledged a design flaw in the plant's existing system; the contractor will perform a labor-intensive replacement. He also noted the village has purchased a pipe-inspection camera to examine an urban road tank drain pipe and locate a valve that has not been used to the village's knowledge.
Why it matters: the bridge and roadway projects involve environmental permitting, state funding processes and multiple construction risks (utility conflicts, required environmental mitigation). Williams cautioned construction timing depends on permitting and the DNR's release of trust-fund allocations; he said DNR funding allocations were being held up by a state budget impasse in Lansing and that the current projection targets 2027 for construction.
Next steps: staff will circulate plan PDFs and hard copies to council and village staff for review, continue permitting steps and coordinate with utilities on gas-line repairs. The council will track the Part 31 permit and DNR trust-fund status to confirm the construction schedule.
