Construction crews continue to make progress on the project to transform Maple Road from Southfield to Woodward. We would like to update you on the current status of the project given some recent adjustments. While the City is pleased with the hard work and progress completed to date, crews have encountered unexpected challenges during recent underground work.
The project has been on schedule until this point, however the City just received an updated timeline from the contractor listing project completion in October. The schedule provides an adjusted timeline for the following three phases of the project:
- Maple Road between Old Woodward and Woodward will reopen mid-October
- Maple Road between Pierce and Chester will reopen late-October
- Maple Road between Southfield and Chester will reopen late-October
The City’s goal is to reopen the road as soon as possible, and to offer a finished product that will benefit those who travel through Birmingham for many years to come. As with many construction projects, crews encountered unexpected challenges during intricate underground work. Some of these and other challenges include: water main and sanitary sewer conflicts, water main breaks, unexpected Bates Street curb realignment, and a COVID-19 outbreak among the construction crew in recent weeks. The City will continue to send frequent updates as new information becomes available. While the various unexpected challenges encountered throughout this project could have delayed completion by a few months, crews have worked hard to make up time and achieve completion within one month of the original goal.
As crews work during an unprecedented COVID-19 environment, an improved Maple Road is taking shape and offers a glimpse of the beautiful finished product coming soon. On behalf of the City, engineering team and construction workers, we thank you for your continued patience as we enter the final stage of this project. When complete, Maple Road’s improvements will allow it to manage traffic more effectively; provide an attractive experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists; and serve the community for decades to come!
