Upton Drive Reconstruction Project

April 22, 2024 Project Update

This is a brief update for the Upton Drive Reconstruction Project as of April 22, 2024.  One of the changes the public may have noticed today is the temporary access established to the Whirlpool’s parking lot off of Marina Drive.  This was needed because Kalin Construction removed the pavement to the driveway on Upton Drive order to continue to lay water main to the north.  This was sooner than originally anticipated and is needed in order for Kalin to continue making progress.  The City also received several resident concerns regarding speeds on Upton Drive north of Virginia Court.  In response, the Public Safety Department will setup up a speed sign and also increase enforcement on Upton Drive.

The following information is provided for those with interest on the details on the project.

A list of some of the more significant work items completed follows.

• Directional drill of the new 12” diameter sanitary sewer force main under the St. Joseph River.
• Jack and bore of a 30” diameter casing for the new 12” diameter water main under the CSX Railroad Tracks.
• Installation of a cofferdam in order to place the new 48” diameter storm sewer outfall to the St. Joseph River.
• Installation of a Stormwater Treatment Unit near the St Joseph River.
• Installation of 24” diameter gravity sanitary sewer to the interceptor sewer on the south side of the St. Joseph River.

Work Underway includes:

• Connection of the new 12” diameter sanitary force main to the system on the south side of the river.
• Laying of water main on the north side of the St. Joseph River.
• Laying of storm sewer on the north side of the St. Joseph River following installation of a 12 foot diameter manhole structure near the stormwater treatment unit.

The project team thanks you for your patience, and please feel free to contact Project Engineer Tim Drews (telephone: 269-876-9286, email: tdrews@abonmarche.com) or City Engineer Tim Zebell (telephone: 269-985-0339, email: tzebell@sjcity.com) with questions or concerns.

Project Description & General Information

The Upton Drive Reconstruction Project is scheduled to begin on March 25, 2024.

The project limits include Upton Drive from its southerly end near the St. Joseph River to Momany Drive.  The primary purpose of the project is to reconstruct the roadway, install new storm sewer to improve drainage, and replace the sanitary force main from the Edgewater Lift Station to the sanitary sewer interceptor sewer south of the St. Joseph River.  While the roadway is removed, the existing sanitary sewer and water mains located under it will be replaced.  The project also includes reconfiguration of the roadway to allow the installation of a non-motorized path.

The scope is more complex than most reconstruction projects as it includes three utility crossings under the CSX railroad tracks, a directional bore under the St. Joseph River, and changing the pavement width.  This requires coordinating multiple agreements with CSX.  Several external funding sources are also involved including a Transportation Economic Development Fund Category A grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation, a Clean Water State Revolving Loan (CWSRF) loan, and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan.  A portion of the CWSRF and DWSRF funding will come in the form of grants rather than loans.  The balance of funding beyond the external sources listed above will come from the City’s Street Improvement Fund, Water Improvement Fund, and Sewer Fund.

The project is expected to be underway the entire construction season with completion expected in early November.

The supporting documents section has links to more detailed information that can be downloaded, a brief description of the documents follows.

• Initial Public Notice - provides a detailed description of the project and answer frequently asked questions.
• Selected Alternative - the selected alternative concept plan that was posted during the public input phase.
• Pavement Marking - Signage Plan – provides a more detailed view of the plans extracted from the plans as bid.
• Initial Public Meeting Presentation – a pdf of the power point presented during the March 6, 2024 public meeting.
• Upton Phasing Plan - Anticipated dates of the phasing plan as of March 12, 2014.