HRC: Roadway Design: Williams Lake Road Relocation at M-59

Project involved Early Preliminary and Preliminary Engineering for the construction of a new 4-lane concrete boulevard west of Williams Lake Road north of M-59. This new alignment aligns with Williams Lake Road south of M-59 through MDNR park land. The early preliminary engineering portion of the project, included preliminary road design, storm sewer, drainage analysis, and municipal utility relocations. The preparation of an Environmental Assessment, traffic study and analysis, and topographic survey were also included. The Preliminary Engineering phase included final design for road, storm sewer, traffic signals and safety paths. HRC provided ROW/easement documents and procurement, utility coordination, construction staging/traffic maintenance and acquiring all permits.

During the design of this project, HRC and the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) extensively coordinated the project with the FAA and Oakland County International Airport (OCIA) in order to accommodate existing and proposed clear zones for the runways as well as other federal guidelines for work adjacent to an airport. In addition, the design involved coordination with future expansion plans for OCIA.

HRC responsibilities included:

Preparation of Environmental Assessment
Topographic Survey
Traffic Study and Analysis
ROW/Easements Descriptions & Acquisitions
Construction Plans
Preliminary Cost Estimate
Drainage Plans
Preliminary Cost Estimate
Drainage Plans
Traffic Signals
Pavement Markings
Utility Coordination
Maintaining Traffic Plans
MDEQ and MDOT Permitting

The project was funded through Build Michigan III and various other Federal funds.

Construction Engineering and Testing
The new roadway crosses two wetland areas requiring a geotechnical design for the removal of existing organic soils and replacement with sand backfill. The design included installing sheet piling to isolate the organic material that could stay in place.

Right-of-Way/Easement Acquisition
HRC actively obtained the complete property acquisitions for this project. HRC staff coordinated the title search activities with the ordering of the required Real Estate appraisals. HRC's Survey Department prepared all of the documents that were required, including the legal descriptions of the takings, drawings and using the RCOC Real Estate actual conveyance documents for 24 parcels including all fee purchases, and easements.