Road now closed to eastbound drivers

By Heidi Roman
C & G Staff Writer

FRASER — Much-needed construction on Masonic Boulevard in Fraser is moving along quickly, city officials say. Crews began milling and resurfacing the damaged road from Utica Road to Kelly Road in early May, and may wrap up the task earlier than expected.

The current road repairs are the second phase of a 2006 project that resurfaced Masonic between Hayes and Utica roads. That phase of the project took about four months.

“The other section of (Masonic) was badly needed, as well,” said City Manager Jeff Bremer. The road had begun to decay and crack.

The city applied for a grant through Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Local Jobs Today program, which paid for the majority of the work and helped speed up the construction date.

“Thanks to that program, we were able to accelerate that portion of the project,” Bremer said. “That helped us tremendously.”

Public Works Director B.J. VanFleteren said work is moving along quicker than anticipated. The westbound lane of Masonic is now open to through traffic, since construction on the north side of the road is completed.

Crews have now begun working on the south side, so the eastbound lane is closed. Drivers hoping to travel east on Masonic should plan a detour.

Curbs on the sides of the road were torn up last week, making way for the new concrete ones. The project will also include some repairs to the drain structure and gutters, VanFleteren said.

The businesses along the stretch of construction have stayed open during the work, and access has been available throughout the process.

“All of the businesses and residents have been notified and are working with us until this is done,” VanFleteren said. “It’s working out pretty well.”

KerrAlbert Office Supply has noticed a decrease in the amount of walk-in customers entering the store during construction, but is still keeping busy with telephone, fax and Internet orders, said Nancy Burnham, a manager at the store.

“Business has slowed down some, but we’re doing all right,” Burnham said.

The store is located in a plaza on Masonic Boulevard at Groesbeck Highway, and access to the parking lot and stores has been maintained throughout construction.

“The (completion) date was set for Aug. 1,” VanFleteren said. “But I think they’ll be done closer to the end of (June).”

Both sections of Masonic, the side that was already repaired and the current section being worked on, were considered high-priority projects under the Local Jobs Today program.

The Local Jobs Today plan is expected to put $400 million into accelerated road and transit projects in Michigan. The plan provided grants and loans to cities, counties and local transit agencies.