Major Road Construction Projects

Enhance traffic safety and traffic flow...encourage development and redevelopment opportunities...improve the aesthetic character of the city.

These are just a few reasons why the city makes high quality roads a priority. Each year the city is involved in numerous road construction projects. The following map of the city identifies where the major road construction projects are occurring for this year. Information specific to each major project has also been provided. For more information on road construction projects you may contact the Department of Transportation and Utilities at 324-9256.

Major Road Construction Project Map

South Westnedge Avenue Enhancement Projects (SWEPs)

Project Status

In March 2006, engineers contracted by the city began the process of designing the improvements associated with SWEPs. The city hosted an Open House on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at Portage City Hall. The Open House allowed the public to view the preliminary design, ask questions and provide input that will ultimately lead to the best design product. Conceptual plans for areas north of I-94 have been updated to reflect revisions and refinements to the original plan. The final construction plans have been completed and forwarded to the Michigan Department of Transportation for Bidding.

Construction to be completed in 2008 will focus on widening South Westnedge Avenue to three travel lanes northbound from Amos Avenue to Old Kilgore Road. Southbound, the roadway will be widened to three travel lanes from north of Market Place to the westbound I-94 on-ramp. The project will include new sidewalk on both sides of the street, new concrete driveway approaches, center median construction, and landscaping. Driveways will be constructed part-width to allow access throughout the construction period. Driveway identification signs will be placed in the construction zone to better direct traffic to the appropriate driveway entrance. During construction travel will remain open both north and southbound, however, there will be lane closures which will impact traffic flow.

Tenative Project Timetable

This schedule is tentative and subject to change.

· April 7^th – Begin construction of west side of roadway south and new watermain south of Market Place/Andy Avenue intersection

· May 7^th - Begin construction on east side near at Old Kilgore Road. Includes culvert widening and storm sewer installation

· May 22^th- Begin roadway widening on the east side, south of Andy Avenue

· September 1^st- All lanes open to traffic

· September 29^th- Begin final landscaping, restoration, new streetlights and utility relocation

· November 15^th – Project completion

Construction Contacts

The City of Portage is committed to communicating with all property owners along South Westnedge Avenue and adjacent neighborhoods during construction to address issues related to the project. If you are interested in receiving update on the construction please contact city staff. For immediate assistance during the construction project the contracts are:

City Project Manager: W. Christopher Barnes, City Engineer 269-329-4422 barnesc@portagemi.com

Project Resident Engineer: Dan Dombos, Abonmarche Consultants 269-927-2295 ddombos@abonmarche.com

Contractor: Greg Bruner, Peters Construction, 269-345-1145 gbruner@petersconstruct.com

More Information

Please contact the Department of Transportation and Utilities at 269-329-4422.

Project Resources

Project Profile
SWEPs 2004 Report
I-94 Interchange Map
SWEPs Map
12/20/2007 Final Drawings (North of Interstate 94) Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3
11/15/2006 Conceptual Drawings (South of Interstate 94) Sheet 1

I-94 Widening and Reconstruction Project

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is widening I-94 from west of US-131 to east of Oakland Drive. Work includes the reconstruction of the I-94/US-131 and I-94/Oakland Drive interchanges, as well as widening 2.6 miles of I-94 to add one through lane in each direction.

For project details including road closure information, please visit the Michigan Department of Transportation website. You will need to select Kalamazoo County from the drop down box. You may also contact the City of Portage Department of Transportation and Utilities at 329-4422.

July 25, 2008