Seminole Road Reconstruction & Streetscape
The Seminole Road Reconstruction project was a two-phase 0.81-mile project from Seaway Drive (US-31 BR) to Henry Street in the City of Norton Shores. The project was funded with both MDOT Surface Transportation Improvement Funds and matching local funds. The project was broken up into two phases, with construction of Phase I in 2021 and Phase II in 2022.
Phase I – 2021
This federal aid project consisted of full depth reconstruction and a road diet of 0.56 miles of Seminole Road from Henry Street to Park Street in the City of Norton Shores. The work for Phase I included complete HMA roadway reconstruction with sand subbase, aggregate base, and new concrete curb and gutter and sidewalks with ADA ramps along both sides of the roadway. Utility improvements included storm sewer construction, sanitary sewer repairs, and replacing the 12-inch water main and associated services along the entire length of roadway. Additionally, streetscape improvements including decorative lighting, site furniture, and landscaping were included. Eng., Inc. was the prime consultant responsible for the survey, design, and construction engineering services for both phases. Construction was completed and the roadway opened to traffic in October 2021. Brenner Excavating of Hopkins, MI was the Prime Contractor.
Phase II – 2022
This federal aid project consisted of a full depth of 0.25 miles of Seminole Road from Park Street to Seaway Drive (US-31 BR) in the City of Norton Shores. The work for Phase II included complete HMA roadway reconstruction with sand subbase, aggregate base, and new concrete curb and gutter and sidewalks with ADA ramps along both sides of the roadway. Utility improvements included storm sewer construction, sanitary sewer lateral replacements, and water main work including replacement of water services. Additionally, streetscape improvements including decorative lighting, site furniture, and landscaping were included. Eng., Inc. was the prime consultant responsible for the survey, design, and construction engineering services for both phases. Construction was completed on Phase II and the roadway opened to traffic in early November 2022. Kamminga & Roodvoets, Inc. was the Prime Contractor.
Introduction
In 2019, the City of Norton Shores began preparations to make improvements to approximately 0.81 miles of Seminole Road between Henry Street and Seaway Drive (US-31 BR). The roadway segment is located within a primarily commercial area with some residential units within the business district portion of the City. The desired improvements would consist of the reconstruction and possible narrowing of the roadway in the western limits, storm water improvements, replacement of traffic loop detectors at Henry Street, replacement of the existing cast iron water main from Henry Street to Park Street including water services, placement of new 8-foot and 5-foot concrete sidewalks and repair of existing sidewalks and ramps to ADA standards, and any necessary utility repairs as a result of the sewer televising. In addition, elements of the Seminole Road Place Plan would be utilized including new decorative lighting, landscaping, and relocating private utilities underground within the roadway right-of-way.
Funding for the project would be with the Federal State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and local matching funds. Construction for the project would take place in two phases – with the western half (Henry Street to Park Street) being constructed in the summer of 2021 and the eastern half (Park Street to Seaway Drive) being constructed in 2022. Both phases of the project were bid through the MDOT Bid Letting system. To prepare for an MDOT Bid Letting, the programming application for each phase was submitted well in advance to make sure that funding sources and the scope of the project met the criteria. Phase I of the project was bid in the April 2021 bid letting while Phase of the project was bid in the June 2022 bid letting.
The existing roadway was a combination of three to five lanes of asphalt roadway with concrete curb and gutter and sidewalk on one or both sides at intermittent lengths of this project. Existing traffic signals are located at both ends of the proposed work. The parcels adjacent to the roads are zoned for commercial use throughout the length of the project. However, the corridor was also the lone access point to a large apartment complex, condo complex, and other residential roadways. The project required the use of construction traffic management and partial width construction to accommodate traffic and provide access to local properties and businesses throughout the entire duration of the project.
A few of the specific challenges that the project presented:
- Traffic control and planning would be essential to ensure adequate access to commercial businesses, adjacent residential neighborhoods, and emergency vehicles during construction.
- Coordination with adjacent construction at the former K-mart property, as the redevelopment project was likely to overlap with Phase I of the project.
- Proper implementation of the Seminole Road Place Plan and Streetscape improvements.
- Sidewalk design within a limited road right-of-way and the acquisition of 16 grading permits and/or permanent easements for sidewalk facilities.
- Coordination with the Muskegon County Drain Commissioner for transfer of ownership of the Fielder Drain which is located on the western end of the project limits.
- Coordination with Consumers Energy for removal of utility poles and overhead lighting.
- Coordination with Frontier Communications and Comcast for removal of overhead facilities and placement underground.
- Supply chain issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
City officials were looking to create a visual entry point for Norton Shores with the reconstruction of Seminole Road as part of the City’s ongoing redevelopment plans for the City’s central business hub. The plan was to make the area more conducive to the community by making this an ‘entrance’ to Norton Shores, since the downtown area is not clearly defined. City officials have been active in the area’s redevelopment since the adoption of the ‘Seminole Road Place Plan’ in 2017, which encourages mixed-use buildings, increased walkability, and creation of public spaces around Seminole Road.
As part of that plan, a former K-mart store on the corner of Seminole Road and Henry Street that sat empty for 15 years was demolished with plans in the works for a 126-unit apartment complex. The apartment complex would include five residential buildings with 24 to 30 one and two-bedroom apartments, a community center, pool, dog park, green space and 238 parking spots.
A two-story, 40,900-square-foot Mercy Health facility recently completed in 2019 on Henry Street near Seminole Road includes an urgent care, physical therapy, a lab, pharmacy with a drive-thru and doctors’ offices. The site includes 292 parking spaces, landscaping, and sidewalks.
The City of Norton Shores recognized the potential for significant community impact through this redevelopment effort and was committed to a proactive partnership approach. Market analysts were conducted as part of the plan development to provide a better understanding of the community’s retail and housing needs.
The City has also developed a design plan to promote access and to maximize both the function and the aesthetics of the site. Public realm improvements such as sidewalks and nonmotorized pathways, uniform lighting, and street amenities were understood to offer vital support to private investment. Norton Shores has begun a streetscaping program which responds directly to the need to transform these heavily auto-centric corridors into spaces which welcome multiple modes of transportation.
Phase 1
City of Norton Shores, MI
Jim Murphy, PE
(231) 799-6803
jmurphy@nortonshores.org
$2,581,263
0.56 miles
Phase 2
City of Norton Shores, MI
Todd Myers, PE
(231) 799-6803
tmyers@nortonshores.org
$1,376,856
.25 miles
Awards
2023 National Award Winner
Public Works Project of the Year
Transportation Less than $5 Million
2023 State of Michigan Award
Public Works Project of the Year
Transportation More than $1 Million and Less than $5 Million
2022 Midwest Branch Award
Public Works Project of the Year
Transportation More than $1 Million
