Construction begins in approximately two weeks on R Drive South in Athens Township from the West County Line to 1 1/2 Mile Rd. This mile and a half stretch of road will be "crushed and shaped" with an overlay of 4.5 inches of Hot Mix Asphalt, as well as widened to add a 3-ft paved shoulder. Culverts will be replaced on the Athens and Indian Creek Drain, trees will be cleared from the right of way, and signs will be replaced.
The road will be closed once pulverization begins, which will take place a couple of weeks after the start of the project. The detour will take drivers along S Drive South and M-60, or South 4th and 46th Streets in Kalamazoo County to V Drive South. Construction is expected to last until approximately June, barring unexpected changes in construction schedules.
This project costs approximately $900,000 and 80% of the cost is funded through a federal Surface Transportation Block Grant, administered through the regional Rural Task Force program. The remaining 20% is covered by the Calhoun County Road Department and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. The primary contractor for this project is Lakeland Asphalt, with Hunter-Prell assisting with grading and earthwork.
More information will be released about CCRD's 2024 construction season in the upcoming month. The map below shows the project area highlighted in orange.
