By Linda Shepard
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER HILLS — Although the John R road project is on schedule, it is currently closed to through traffic between Auburn and South Boulevard. It will remain closed for the next several months, say city officials.

The $3.4 million John R project includes adding storm drains and pathways, widening the road to three lanes and resurfacing it between South Boulevard and Hamlin roads. The entire cost of the project will be paid for by Rochester Hills, through budgeted funds and pathway millage money.

“The project is proceeding on schedule. We anticipate a completion date in November,” said Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett. “We may be slightly ahead of schedule.”

City Transportation Engineer Paul Shumejko said good weather has aided the construction schedule. “We’ve been pretty lucky,” he said. “The road could be open as early as Oct. 15.”

John R between South Boulevard and 1,500 feet north of Auburn Road will be widened and reconstructed to include a center left-turn lane. Between 1,500 feet north of Auburn Road and Hamlin Road,  John R will be resurfaced with 2 inches of asphalt.

An 8-foot-wide asphalt pathway along both sides of John R will fill in missing pathway gaps, but a segment along the west side of John R, near Auburn, will be constructed at a later date.

The project includes several improvements to Spencer Park, located off John R, north of South Boulevard. Plans include adding a 10-foot-wide trailway loop around Spencer Lake with recycled John R roadway materials and paving a handicap-accessible parking lot.

John R drain improvements involve enclosed storm sewers. “There wasn’t a storm drain before,” Shumejko said. “Just open ditches in some areas.”

The construction of the drain is necessary for public health and safety, correct water ponding within the roadway and to help alleviate flooding, Shumejko said.

Although John R’s construction spots will be closed to through traffic, the road will remain open to residential traffic and Spencer Park access. 

A through-traffic detour route is Auburn to Dequindre to South Boulevard and vice-versa, Shumejko said.

City officials ask residents to drive in construction areas at a prudent speed to ensure safety and to avoid elevating dust levels. During the placement of the hot asphalt, pedestrians and bike-riders should avoid contact with the asphalt surface until it has cooled to avoid burns.

“None of us like to be inconvenienced,” Rochester Hills City Council member Erik Ambrozaitis said. “But, at the same time, there is work going on. Hopefully, we will get the project done as quickly as we can.”