South Westnedge Avenue Improvements
Project Overview
F&V provided design and construction engineering of South Westnedge Avenue from Mall Drive to Trade Centre Way. The design included the redesign of public sidewalks, business approaches, and intersections to meet federal ADA accessibility standards, and the replacement of curb and gutter. These phase I improvements standardized sidewalk widths to five (5) feet wide, vertical elevation adjustments to resolve existing drainage issues and provide a “crisp and clean” curb appeal for the corridor businesses. This work also is a critical part of the City’s corridor greening plan to not only beautify the area, but also reduce runoff and improve accessibility. This was phase I of the improvements in advance of phase II microsurfacing work.
The microsurfacing project was designed to best utilize the resurfacing method to allow for the most efficient use of traffic closures. South Westnedge Avenue and the I-94 interchange area carries one of the highest volumes of vehicles in the County. The design minimized the disturbances to I-94 and the businesses along the corridor by requiring night work and a compact schedule. The shorter timeline and night work proved to be a win-win for the businesses, the City, and the Contractor. Traffic volumes were significantly less allowing for lesser traffic control measures for access and protection of the new surfacing. The project received partial federal aid and was included in the 2022 Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study-Transportation Improvement Plan.
The City was pleased with the outcome of the microsurfacing project and its benefits. They have noted that they plan to incorporate the resurfacing method together with the option of night work and constrained work schedules into future work in the City. The results were received well by the businesses along the corridor as well as the traveling public with the limited impact to daily travel movements.
This project was awarded the 2022 American Public Works Association (APWA) Southwest Michigan Branch Project of the Year (Transportation less than $1 million).
