Kenmore and Cornwall Watermain & Pavement Replacement Project

The dates noted below are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen conditions.

Preparation: Barricade placement and tree work is anticipated to begin in Spring 2022

1. One lane of traffic will be closed off until the water main construction is completed.
2. A couple of City trees will be removed before water main and roadwork begins.

1. One lane of road is removed
2. New water main installed and tested
3. Reconstruct drainage structures and manholes
4. Roadway is closed one long block at a time for road reconstruction
5. Install new concrete curb, approaches, and sidewalks
6. Asphalt paving (base layer)
7. Restore lawns
8. Asphalt paving (top layer)
9. Install new roadway striping
10. Complete outstanding items and clean-up

If you haven’t already done so, we strongly encourage residents to subscribe to the electronic newsletter set up by the City using the link below. This link will contain project status updates and will likely be updated weekly or as changes to the project occur. This will also contain pertinent information such as vehicular and/or pedestrian access, parking, temporary water shut-offs, project delays, etc.

The replacement project will take place on Kenmore from 12-Mile to Cornwall and Cornwall from Kenmore to Webster Road.

Improvements include new asphalt pavement, concrete curbs and gutters, storm water drainage improvements, concrete driveway approaches, concrete sidewalks, ADA ramps and turf restoration.

A new 8” water main will be installed along with new public water services and stop boxes. The Kenmore/Cornwall intersection will also feature a new rain garden. 

The total cost of the project is estimated at ~ $3 Million.

Project cost will be paid by the City of Berkley via the infrastructure millage and water fund.

As part of the overall City Road rating survey, the Kenmore/Cornwall sections of road were rated as a 3 and 2 respectively, using the State-recognized Pavement Surface Evaluation Rating system, or PASER. The ratings of 3 and 2 are classified as poor and the recommended repair method is a full reconstruction of the roadway.

Coupled with the PASER ratings, other factors include water main age and water main break frequency. This road section also had the highest amount of water main breaks over the last 5-years.

The project is estimated to begin in the spring of 2022 and should be completed by late fall of 2022. The timeframe may fluctuate depending on weather or other conditions that may affect the construction process. 

The average lifespan of a newly constructed road is 15 to 20 years.

New roads require varying types of maintenance and condition is dependent on weather and vehicle loads. With a long-term maintenance program, as performed by Berkley’s DPW, it is anticipated that the new surface will provide many years of smooth and safe travel. 

The majority of the work will be done within the road right-of-way. If it is necessary to work on private property, a temporary construction easement would be presented to the
affected property owner.

Please note that the contractor will only be removing and relacing the driveway approach
(between the road and sidewalk) and will not be available to remove any sections of driveway from the sidewalk up to the home. 

Lighting improvements are not included in the scope of this project. DTE owns and maintains the majority of street lighting in Berkley.

One-lane, one-way traffic will be maintained during water main construction. However, closures of the entire road will be required for the roadway reconstruction, and this will be
completed on a block-by-block basis.

The Contractor will allow for resident access to driveways to the best extent possible based on the current stage of construction. We also expect short-term delays when trucks are loading. 

In general, residents will be able to access their driveway during the construction however, there will be times when residential driveways will not be accessible. When new
driveway approaches are poured, residents will not have access to the driveway for about 7 days to allow the concrete to set (cure). Other instances of limited access include
excavation of the roadway, installation of catch basins, and asphalt paving operations. 

Yes. The City will distribute flyers and provided updates via the electronic newsletter to inform residents before driveway replacement begins. The flyers will provide options for parking while the concrete cures. 

Once construction starts, vehicles should not be parked on Kenmore/Cornwall Roads between 12-Mile and Webster Road.

On-street parking in the construction zone will not be allowed once the job begins. Affected residents will be provided with a temporary parking permit from the on-site construction inspector. 

Tringali, the City’s trash hauler, will be instructed to collect trash from these three blocks early on Friday mornings to minimize construction conflicts or delays. Residents should place trash, recycling and yard waste at the curb Thursday night unless otherwise notified. 

Yes.

Temporary parking passes to residents who will be unable to access their driveways for extended periods of time (i.e. when new concrete drive approaches are poured), will be distributed by the on-site construction inspector. 

Yes, all water mains under City jurisdiction will be replaced with this improvement. The existing water service (including the pipe and water stop box) will be replaced at each home. A new 1” diameter water service will be installed along with a new water stop box (valve). 

No. Each property owner is responsible for repair, maintenance, and replacement of this portion of the water service, however if the existing is a lead material line, the City is required to replace from the meter to the stop box at no expense to the homeowner. 

Homeowners will be notified in writing if lead pipe is encountered at the property line. The City is required to replace lead service lines, even on private property, from the meter to the stop box. Please note lead can also be found internal to the home in piping and fixtures. 

Yes. We expect that water service will be shut off temporarily (or intermittently) while the contractor installs the new water main. For the contractor to make the connection of your new water service with the new water main, your water service will be shut off for a few hours. Residents will be notified at least 24 hours in advance of a planned shut-off.

No. All sections of the City sewer on Kenmore/Cornwall, between 12-Mile and Webster, have been or are scheduled to be structurally lined as part of the City’s annual sewer program.

Please note manholes and catch basins will be reconstructed as part of this project.

No. Each property owner is responsible for the repair, maintenance, and replacement of this portion of sewer house leads. City replacement of private sewer leads is not included
in the project. 

Homeowners are encouraged to contact a licensed plumber to determine if replacement of the house lead is necessary. A licensed plumber should be able to capture the lead condition on video and discuss the appropriate next steps. Homeowners are responsible for the sewer lead from the home, up to and including, the connection to the City main. 

It would be advantageous for homeowners to complete needed repairs before the Kenmore/Cornwall project begins for the following reasons:

• Sanitary leads are uncovered by digging a trench in the road in front of the property. The homeowner is responsible for repairing the road when the work is completed.
• Homeowners can repair the trench with appropriate temporary materials if repairs are completed before the Kenmore/Cornwall Project begins. There may be some savings associated with the use of temporary materials.
• Repairs made after the Kenmore/Cornwall Project is completed involves digging a trench in the newly constructed road. Property owners are required to use permanent road material to repair the trench and these materials typically are more expensive.

The contractor is responsible for repair/replacement of any house lead directly damaged as a part of their operations. Video records will be utilized if disputes arise.

Asphalt will be used for the new road surface. The new road cross-section will be over 16-inches thick including aggregate and 4.5 inches of asphalt. Geotextile fabric and geogrid will be utilized for additional strength.

No. In an effort to preserve the mature trees along Kenmore Rd. & Cornwall St., the City decided to narrow the width of the road section from 25 feet to 23.5 feet back of curb to
back of curb. 

Yes. Once the project is complete, in compliance with Berkley Public Safety, parking will no longer be allowed on the west side of Kenmore and Cornwall Street.

This is to allow for the required fire lane access.

The narrower roadway width provides a decrease in impervious surface, resulting in a reduction of storm water runoff to the combined sewer system. Green space between
the sidewalk and curb will also increase by approximately one foot. 

The driveways will be replaced with 6” of new concrete.

If a property has an existing walkway from back of curb to the sidewalk, this walkway will not be restored with pavement.

The new sidewalks will be replaced with standard 5’ wide, 4-inch thick concrete.

The contractor will provide a temporary ramp or another appropriate system for access to driveways and sidewalk ramps.

It is encouraged that residents contact the City DPW (248-658-3490) prior to construction so proper accommodations can be made in advance. 

There are approximately 87 trees within the ROW and project area, only five (5) City trees between the road and sidewalk will need to be removed as part of the project. The City’s Certified Arborist, J.H. Hart Urban Forestry, conducted an evaluation of all trees in the project’s construction limits and recommended that five (5) trees be removed due to health concerns. All tree removals were also verified by a third-party certified arborist.

Further, due to the location of some of the new water services, additional trees may be impacted. 

If a City tree is removed within the right-of-way, a new tree will be planted as part of the City’s tree program. Note several factors will determine placement. 

Lawn restoration is included in the scope of this project. The contractor will restore all disturbed lawn areas with sod.