City Provides Update on 2024 Road Construction Projects

This is an update on upcoming construction projects within the City of Sault Ste. Marie. If
you have room for photos or maps in your article, please let us know.

The Easterday Ave. Truck Route Reconstruction and Carbide Dock Port Reconstruction
projects are starting back up in April – May. Both projects are scheduled for completion in
summer of 2024, including Alford Park.

Future projects:

Meridian Street – W. Easterday Ave to 8 th Ave (.49 miles)
Water main, sanitary sewer replacement, and roadway reconstruction will be part of
the project. We have already been working with several businesses and LSSU
concerning the work schedule and staging. No special assessment is expected as
the project is funded through MDOT’s Small Urban Program. Elmer’s was awarded
the bid by MDOT at $3.1M. The project is slated to start May 15, 2024. We are
working with Elmer’s and may make Washington Way a 2-way street during
construction to improve access and will publicize this if a traffic control order goes
into effect. Affected property owners have received a mailer with more
information.

Power Canal Trail Phase II – Non motorized trail continuation – Ashmun to Johnston Street in
partnership with MDOT, Cloverland, & Private Donations. (.45 miles)
This project, originally slated for 2022, was delayed due to emergency utility work on
the canal required by Cloverland. MDOT awarded the contract to Payne & Dolan,
and they have agreed to an extension of time until August 2024. We will continue to
update the public on the project as cannot proceed with the project until Cloverland’s
work is completed as they are working directly in the path of the trail. Total cost for
2022 before delay; $289,000.

Safe Routes to School
The proposed project consists of improvements for pedestrians within the service
This project consists of improvements for pedestrians within the service areas of
Lincoln Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Sault Area Middle School in Sault
Ste. Marie, Michigan.  There has been extensive planning on the routing and the
project would also complement and continue the connection between a previous
SRTS project at Bahweting Schools.  Partners include the Michigan Department of 225 E. Portage Ave. | Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 | Phone: 906.632.5700 | www.saultcity.com
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Transportation, Michigan State University, Michigan Fitness Foundation, Sault
Schools, Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and the City. Learn more about SRTS
here: Safe Routes to School | Sault Ste. Marie Michigan (saultcity.com). The
project was awarded to Hunt Bros. and is expected to start on June 3, 2024. A
mailing has been sent out to the affected residents outlining the proposed
construction schedule.

Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrades and Peck and Eureka Area Collection System
upgrades and CSO Closure
In partnership with EGLE the City has obtained Clean Water State Revolving
Funding (CWSRF) to upgrade a failing wastewater treatment plant and upgrade
the Peck and Eureka area collection system and the last 2 known CSO closures.
This project includes work on 4 of the 5 major treatment processes at the
treatment plant. The collection system improvements will include an area
bounded to the South by Sheridan Drive, to the North by Peck Street, to the West
by Meridian Street, and to the East by Fort Street. This will include CSO
structures in Portage Avenue. Improvements will include sanitary sewer, storm
sewer, watermain, and roadway reconstruction.. Total project is $35 million with
construction to start late summer 2024. A public meeting is scheduled April
24 th for affected residents in the collection system improvement area, and
they have been sent a mailing with more information.

Water Street Combined Sewer Overflow
In partnership with the U.S. Army Corps under their 219 funding, this project would
close out one of our three last remaining CSOs. This would eliminate CSO site #007
@ Water & Bingham intersection. The project includes Construct Ashmun St./Maple
St. Sanitary Sewer Lift Station, Reconstruct the sanitary sewer overflow structure in
the intersection of Bingham Avenue & Water Street to eliminate an 8-inch overflow
connector between sanitary and storm sewer which outfalls through St Mary’s Falls
Park at the Bingham Avenue & Water Street intersection, and Rehabilitate the storm
drainage out fall piping (12 & 48 inch) within St Mary’s Falls Park.  Total estimate still
in design; $1.2M. We now have an agreement for this project and are looking at
2025 construction.

I-500 Project        
This project will construct new roads, a parking lot, vendor building and other
upgrades that will help make the raceway venue a year-round tourist destination. The
EDA investment will be matched with $513,000 in local funds and is expected to
create or retain 50 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment, according to
grantee estimates. Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau, EUP Regional Planning, and
the City are working with OHM on the project design. Construction documents will
be ready for bid later this year with construction anticipated fall 2025 and continued
into 2025.

Other upcoming Projects:

225 E. Portage Ave. | Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 | Phone: 906.632.5700 | www.saultcity.com
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

• Sault Tribe RAISE Grant – Partnership, currently in the Planning & Design
  Phase
• MNRTF Grant – Rotary Park Bathroom Pavilion, currently in the Design
  Phase with tentative construction in 2025
• MDOT Bridge Bundling Preventative Maintenance Grant – currently in the
  Design Phase
• MDOT Safety Grant – intersection of Meridian & Easterday – currently in the
  design phase with tentative construction in 2025

Please contact our Engineering Department if you need any additional clarity on our
upcoming projects. We will keep our Project List updated on our website at
https://www.saultcity.com/engineering/page/project-list. Bid Opportunities are always
updated here: https://www.saultcity.com/rfps.