By Jim Bloch
A significant stretch of Clinton Avenue in St. Clair is in the process of being resurfaced. The eastbound lane of the roadway is currently closed to traffic as the old asphalt is milled in preparation for resurfacing.
The work is being paid for in part with $375,000 grant from the state of Michigan’s Transportation Economic Development Fund. The city council voted unanimously last December to approve a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the milling and resurfacing of the avenue from Fred Moore Highway/Sixth Street west to Carney Drive. The project will include new concrete curbs and gutters and curb ramps.
Astec Asphalt, Inc. won the contract with the low bid of $803,209. The city will contribute the remaining $428,209, which includes preliminary engineering, construction engineering and inspection, and maintaining a right-of-way during the work.
“Clinton street repairs are underway,” said City Superintendent Steve Duchane at the regular meeting of the city council June 1, as heard on the CTV-Channel 6 recording of the proceedings posted on YouTube. “To the best of my knowledge, most of the activity is going as expected.”
A handful of businesses dot the largely residential neighborhood along Clinton – Rood’s Barbershop, the Aitken & Ormond Insurance Agency, Silk’s Florist, CocoBella’s Bakery as well as American Legion Post 382. The contractor will maintain access to the businesses throughout the project.
“Stage 1: May 26-June 15,” said the city on its Facebook page. “Clinton Avenue west bound is open. Treat as a one way. Clinton Avenue east bound is currently closed for repairs. Please plan accordingly. We apologize for any inconvenience that this work may cause, but trust that you will understand the benefit of this project once it is completed.”
Not everybody is following the “Road Closed” and “One Way” signs.
One resident complained on Facebook about a car using the bike path on the north side of Clinton to drive east.
“I can confirm all our suspicions that the bike path along Clinton Ave is wide enough to drive a car on,” said the June 3 post. “Just before 8:45 tonight there was a Honda using it to travel east since the east bound lane is closed.”
“A motorcycle did the same thing last night,” said another.
The closure of the south side of Clinton has meant that trash must be picked up manually.
“Waste Management rubbish collection for residents on the south side of Clinton from Carney to 6th Street is delayed to Saturday, May 30,” the city announced after Memorial Day, when the holiday pushed citywide trash pickup from Thursday to Friday. “Please leave out containers. The construction in the area does not allow room for the equipment with the electronic arms to function properly. Manual serviced equipment will be routed tomorrow, and all carts will be emptied.”
The resurfacing work is expected to be completed by mid-July.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
