• Construction zones may be open to local traffic for ingress/egress to properties, but they are still active construction zones. Residents and the general public must exercise caution and care for barricaded excavations, moving and parked construction equipment, etc. within works zones.

Plymouth Road-Mill and Overlay Federal Aid Project 2025

Plymouth Road from Hall Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Street is a local agency street mill and overlay project for summer of 2025. Mill/overlay is a road rehabilitation process that extends road life and generally consists of the following:

• Upgrade sidewalks and ramps to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act where needed.
• Use a milling machine to remove and grind the road surface with a conveyor system loading debris into trucks-milling is noisy but typically only lasts one day per phase.
• Pave the road with one or more layers of asphalt.
• Adjust manholes to be level with the road.
• Restore disturbed areas with topsoil and grass seed, irrigation repairs, etc.

This project is funded with up to a $887,00 federal grant (through MDOT) and $193,898 in local funds.

In addition to the mill and overlay construction, the city is looking at implementation of pedestrian and bike improvements in coordination with this project as called out in the community Mobility-Bike Action Plan. This means that the road cross-section may be modified to account for bike lanes/Infrastructure which would have an impact with respect to on-street parking.

Update: City Commission Approved Option 1 at the City Commission Meeting on 5/19/25 at 6:00pm-Community Center

Resources:

• Notice-Project Information-Background-Engagement Opportunity
• Notice 2-Public Meeting Notice-Information-Background-Engagement
• On-Street Parking Utilization Study Report
• On-Street Parking Utilization Data
• On-Site-Property Parking Capacity Study
• Concept-Visuals
• MDOT-Plans
• Construction Notice Mailed 6.17.25

CAPE SEAL STREETS

In the cape seal process, an engineered polymer-modified RCRI is applied on the existing pavement and then covered with micro-surfacing. This is a cost-effective process that provides the strength and durability of RCRI and the smoothness and texture of micro-surfacing and/or slurry seal. A cape seal is applied when the pavement deterioration is greater than what a slurry seal or micro-surfacing is designed to correct, yet the pavement has not deteriorated to the point of requiring an expensive asphalt overlay. A cape seal prevents water penetration, reducing subsequent damage to the roadbed, along with providing a new wearing surface. Cape seals are applied to streets rated PASER 4-6 depending on additional pavement surface maintenance. Cape seals can be used on residential streets as well as rural and urban highways. Used with crack sealing and necessary surface repairs, a cape seal significantly extends the life of a pavement. In advance of this treatment, the City prepares the existing road surface by milling and paving out rough surface areas and performing crack sealing. This advance preparation work usually takes 1-2 days and is completed with appropriate traffic control. Please expect traffic delays on these streets, and please be courteous and respectful of crews on-site controlling traffic.

**Residents are encouraged to park on adjacent streets via on-street parking to avoid access issues or inconvenience during preservation treatment curing times**

Resources: 

2026 Project Map-Updated

• Door Hanger Notice Provided to Residents
• Notice-Mailed June 2025

Important: Process takes 1-2 hours for each phase. Please stay calm, the final product is a smooth micro-pavement surface!

*Work was delayed due to rain on Thursday 7/30, but resumed on 7/31 to completed all of this work.  Once barricades are removed, the work is completed and open*

MICRO-SURFACE STREETS

Micro-surfacing, a cost-effective pavement maintenance process used by departments of transportation and municipalities across the country, is a design mixture of polymer-modified asphalt emulsion, crushed aggregate, mineral fillers, water and additives. The mixture is properly proportioned, mixed and uniformly spread over a suitably prepared surface. Micro-surfacing is a pavement preservation treatment for street surfaces rated at PASER 5 or 6. Micro-surfacing provides a quality wearing surface, extends pavement life, sets within a day, seals out moisture and does not require utility casting adjustments. In advance of this treatment, the City prepares the existing road surface by milling and paving out rough surface areas and performing crack sealing.

Updates-See Below

Resources

RECLAMITE SEALANT STREETS

Reclamite is an asphalt sealant, which is a cationic, water-based emulsion designed to improve and extend the life of higher rated asphalt pavements at a very low cost. The emulsion contains unique oils to restore and improve the chemistry of oxidized asphalt surfaces.  Spray-on asphalt rejuvenators are designed to penetrate the asphalt surface and strengthen the asphalt material at the surface to resist the effects of exposure to sun, water, and air.  The treatment extends the life of the asphalt road surface an additional 5-7 years.

Updates: The application has been rescheduled to Monday, July 21 and Tuesday July 22, 2025 (will take 1-2 hours to complete). See notice below for details.  Contractor has posted "no parking" signs and placed door hanger notices.  

Resources: 

• Resident Notice-Mailed
• Resident Door Hanger Notice

2026 Project Map

SIDEWALK REHABILITATION/REPLACEMENT PROGRAM  

As part of the 2024 Streets and Sidewalks Millage, the City has been investing more funds into the annual sidewalk rehab and replacement program. Each year, targeted areas are investigated on a rotation basis. The targeted area is subject to budget constraints.

Updates 

• The sidewalk rehabilitation and replacement program target area for the 2024/2025 construction season is in the eastern area of the city.  

• Sidewalk-related projects map  
• Sidewalk Program FY 25/26 and FY 26/27 Memo-Background
• Sidewalk Replacement Policy
• Notice to all Impacted Residents 2025

Robinson-Cascade Road Sidewalk/Side Path Project

Update: Complete

The City of East Grand Rapids went through a multi-year public engagement process in 2021 and 2022 towards developing a community Mobility/Bike Action Plan in 2022.  Since its adoption the city has implemented many of the noted facilities regarding bike lanes/routes, additional pavement markings and associated signage to improve non-motorized infrastructure for pedestrian experience and safety.  One of the areas noted for desired infrastructure improvements is the Robinson and Cascade Road corridor.  This same east/west corridor is also noted in City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Township connections in their respective non-motorized community plans.  For more information on the City of East Grand Rapids Mobility-Bike Action Plan, please visit the Mobility-Bike Action Plan dedicated web page.

 With the infrastructure need identified by the East Grand Rapids community and neighboring jurisdictions, the city proposed a project for Federal grant funding consideration and was awarded ~$780,000 in grant funds, with a local match requirement of ~$360,000, covered by the City of East Grand Rapids, to fund a sidewalk/side path on the south side of Robinson and Cascade Road from Plymouth Road to Manhattan Park adjacent to the East Beltline.  This means there is no direct cost for this infrastructure improvement project.

Resources

• Updated Plans-MDOT-October Bid Letting
• Update-City Commission Approval-Update-Robinson-Cascade 11-4-24
• Door Hanger Notice-Update Cascade-Robinson 10-17-24
• Notice-Update-Cascade-Robinson 8-21-24
• Notice 1-Cascade 
• Notice 2-Cascade
• Notice 3-Cascade
• Notice 1- Robinson
• Notice 4-Cascade-Robinson Construction
• Notice 5-from the Kent County Road Commission for the weeks of 7/28 and 8/4 to complete project
• Construction zones may be open to local traffic for ingress/egress to properties, but they are still active construction zones. Residents and the general public must exercise caution and care for barricaded excavations, moving and parked construction equipment, etc. within works zones.

Safe Routes to School Federal Program-Sidewalk/Multiuse Trail/Crossings/ADA Ramps/Intersection Improvement Projects

Update: Construction is anticipated in 2026.  There is a pause on options related to the Reeds Lake Blvd concept option as the city works with MDOT on alternative options.  Residents will receive additional communications as information is available.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an international movement and a federal program to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children, including those with disabilities, to bicycle and walk to school. When routes are safe, walking or biking to and from school is an easy way to get the regular physical activity children need for good health. Safe Routes to School initiatives also help ease traffic jams and air pollution, unite neighborhoods, and contribute to students’ readiness to learn in school.  The program is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with funds distributed through the Michigan Department of Transportation in partnership with the Michigan Fitness Foundation to the local Act 51 Agency. City of East Grand Rapids (city) is the Act 51 Agency for infrastructure improvements and programming/educational associated funding to East Grand Rapids Public Schools (EGRPS).

The local SRTS team, that is required by MDOT, is comprised of city and school representatives that have associated operational, or infrastructure responsibilities related to pedestrian safety.  This includes city engineering/public works staff, public safety officers, school crossing guards and school educators/administrative staff, MDOT representatives and consultants.

Eligible school facilities that account for federal funding with respect to the current SRTS program include East Grand Rapids High School and Middle Schools, and Wealthy, Lakeside, and Breton Downs Elementary schools.  There are two categories of grant funding infrastructure related improvements and non-infrastructure funds for educational/safety programing and items like new bike racks. Eligible infrastructure expenses are permitted within 2 miles of school locations within associated jurisdictions. Funding is currently allocated at $300,000 for each registered school location, which would total $1,500,000 for eligible infrastructure projects.  Currently grant funding covers all capital construction costs for improvements with the community local match in-kind staff time/costs and associated consulting services.  Non-infrastructure funding that would be provided to EGRPS via the grant would potentially be funded at $15,000 per school location, totaling $75,000.

The SRTS program engagement consisted of parent and student surveys which focused on finding out what concerns or barriers exist pertaining to infrastructure/environment related to their experiences walking and biking to school locations.  This past spring, EGRPS partnered with educators to have students complete surveys as well as to help encourage parents to participate as well.   There was a total of 3,045 responses with 2,024 completed by students at school and 1,021 parent responses by household completed.  Additionally walking audits were completed at the end of this past school year with crossing guard staff, Michigan Fitness Foundation (MDOT authorized partner), engineering consultants and city engineering/public works staff adjacent to school locations and areas noted of concern from community surveys.

The most common eligible projects that are funded by the SRTS program include pathways, sidewalks, signal enhancements, crosswalks, and signage. Replacement or maintenance of these types of existing infrastructure are typically not eligible for funding. Survey responses and feedback received from students and parents related to sidewalk defects, pavement markings, etc. that are not eligible expenses have been addressed or will be addressed by the Department of Public Works after follow-up and evaluation.

After reviewing survey responses and feedback provided by walking audits, eligible projects defined by the SRTS program were brought back to the local SRTS team for prioritization.   The prioritized projects are noted in the priority map (below) and include new trail facilities, pedestrian enhanced crossings, and ADA crosswalk ramp improvements.  Engineering estimates for projects noted align with eligible grant funds. 

It should be noted that additional work that the city has undertaken or has planned for other projects, including Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crossing enhancements, existing/planned sidewalk/bicycle facilities, traffic signal enhancements, pavement markings, and other new facilities were accounted for in the process to align with existing or planned grants or programmed funding.  Essentially, these projects noted are not reflective of all needs or planned infrastructure improvements, but a piece of overall planned integration of projects and associated funding.

Eligible projects that are identified require notices be sent to residents in adjacent areas in coordination with a project application, which was completed.  Since mailed notices, the city has had in-person, e-mail, phone, and a neighborhood meeting with approximately a dozen households along the southside of Reeds Lake Blvd. west of Manhattan Road. Residents along this stretch are not supportive of a pathway project in the public right-of-way adjacent to their homes.  These communications have been provided to the City Commission as well as MDOT with updated/clarifications made in the MDOT grant application system. Additional notifications and outreach will take place this winter with north shore area residents.  

The SRTS submittal to MDOT was made June 19, 2024, with an anticipated project award determination at the end of the calendar year.  MDOT may alter projects based on federal guidelines/engineering standards, etc.  If projects or some variations are approved for funding, additional notice will be sent to adjacent residents of projects areas funded with the opportunity to provide public comment at a City Commission Meeting where acceptance of funding would be considered.  Depending on outcomes and bid cycles, projects may be funded in the 2025 or 2026 construction seasons.

For additional information and resources pertaining to the SRTS, please visit the following links:

• History of SRTS: History | SRTS (saferoutesmichigan.org)
• SRTS Process and Funding Overview: SRTS Process & Funding Overview | SRTS (saferoutesmichigan.org)
• Michigan Fitness Foundation-SRTS: Safe Routes to School - MFF (michiganfitness.org)

Resources

• Memo-Program 
• City Commission Resolution
• Plan Views
• Typical Cross Sections
• Priority Map
• Resident Notice 1-Adjacent Property Owners
• Resident Notice 2 Engagement Notice-Reeds Lake Blvd
• Resident Notice 3-Update

SANITARY SEWER REHABILITATION

Updates:  The contractor will be providing both City of East Grand Rapids notices as well as their notices in advance of work.

• Contractor: Corby Energy Services
• Notice to all Impacted Residents
• Door Hanger Notice from Contractor 

The general description areas for sanitary sewer lining rehabilitation are noted below, however not all homes may be impacted. For more detailed and specific locations please click the COLLECTION SYSTEM MAP

WATER MAIN REHABILITATION (CURED-IN-PLACE PIPE)

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is a trenchless process to rehabilitate water mains. This process is less invasive and less disruptive than open-cut utility replacement. Before the existing water main is removed from service, a temporary above-ground water service system is put into place. Once the temporary system is in place and has passed required testing, the contractor will contact residents to remove water meters from homes before connecting to this system. The existing water main is then taken out of service. Access pits, which EGR DPW crews will have pre-excavated, are used to access segments of the water main. At these sites, the contractor cleans the water main with a metal chain reamer and inspects the pipe with closed-circuit television to map water service locations. After this is completed, plugs are inserted at water service locations by specialized robotic equipment. Then the new liner is inserted, epoxy resin is injected and hot water is circulated to cure the new liner into the new structural pipe within the old (host) pipe. When this is completed, hydrostatic pressure testing is conducted, water services are reinstated and the new pipe is disinfected, flushed and tested. Water services are then brought back into service, water the contractor contacts residents to reinstall water meters and the temporary system is removed. Restorations are then completed in the project areas. Water service lines that the City owns (between the main and the stop box/shut off in the public right-of-way) that need replacement will take place this summer, fall and into the winter.

• Contractor: Fer Pal
• Notice 1 to impacted residents 2025
• Construction zones may be open to local traffic for ingress/egress to properties, but they are still active construction zones. Residents and the general public must exercise caution and care for barricaded excavations, moving and parked construction equipment, etc. within works zones.