Report to Township Board:
Ref: Baldwin Street Extension to I-196 Expressway
The project is coming along fine and construction will begin this spring. That’s right it’s finally going to happen. We have been waiting for over 30 years for this!
MDOT will start construction at Baldwin & Cottonwood intersection and then proceed to
the east towards Main Street and then continue east to the expressway. At about the same
time they will start replacing the 2 bridges on Baldwin by Rush Creek and the new access drive going into the Grandville Waste Treatment Plant. MDOT has told me they will keep at least 1 lane in both directions open on Baldwin the entire time of construction. They will also be working with the county for alternative traffic routes and timing of traffic lights on streets leading to Chicago Drive and on Chicago Drive to the I-196 Expressway.
All of the utilities companies have had their final meetings with MDOT that needed to take place before any construction can begin. The decorative lighting for Baldwin has been placed on order with Consumers and I have included a picture with this report. Consumers will be locating most of the power poles on the north side of Baldwin. This will allow the phone and cable companies to attach their line to these power poles.
Georgetown, Jamestown, City of Hudsonville and the City of Grandville are working with MDOT on the Rush Creek sewer line that is close to the expressway. It is a 36” pipe that is running at almost 100% capacity and it will have to be replaced as part of this project, and will be looking to upsize to a 54” pipe. A camera will be put through the other sewer line on Baldwin to check for capacity and see if it is in good working condition or needs any repair while the road is under construction. MDOT has completed the property acquisitions for the project.
We all know that this is going to be a major traffic problem for citizens that travel Baldwin Street, Chicago Drive and the I-196 expressway. We all need to keep in mind that after this construction is done it will greatly improve the traffic flow into and out of Georgetown. As we continue to get closer to the construction start I will keep you informed of the progress or changes that may come through. If you have any additional questions please feel free to stop by the office.
Bill Holland