Madison & Jefferson Reconstruction Project Begins February 14, 2023
Project begins with tree removal
The City of Traverse City has recently awarded the Madison & Jefferson Reconstruction Project to Elmer’s Crane and Dozer Inc.
The project will initiate on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 with tree removal along Jefferson Avenue and Madison Street to prepare for construction this spring. In addition to preparation for construction, the removal is essential to be completed in the winter months to adhere to environmental guidelines to prevent the spread of oak wilt. In 2011, the City passed a local ordinance that prohibits pruning oak trees from April through November to protect oak trees and help prevent oak wilt disease. Upon completion of the project, the City will maintain the urban tree canopy with the inclusion of 27 street trees in the project scope fill in areas where street trees would be most appropriate to provide for the Formal Residential Character identified in the current Master Plan. Tree removal is anticipated to be completed by March 3, 2023.
In addition to street reconstruction, improvements to the sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer utilities are being planned within the project limits of Jefferson Avenue from Fulton Street to Elmwood Avenue and Madison Street from Front Street to Wayne Street. Also included, are improvements to mobility and safety with the addition of a sidewalk on the north side of Jefferson. Crossing widths at the intersections will be reduced on Madison to encourage shorter pedestrian crossing distances. Speed tables were included on Madison to discourage excessive speeds within the long blocks. Parking will be moved to the east side only on Madison to enhance mobility where sidewalks are most accessible. Lastly, the project will include green infrastructure elements such as drywells and bioswales.
City staff worked closely with the Slabtown Neighborhood Association on input related to character design clean stormwater runoff, street width desires, and impacts to the street tree lawn. The Madison and Jefferson Reconstruction project is slated to begin in April 2023 and be completed, weather pending, by November 2023.