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CSO and Beautification Projects

Begin the Week of April 12

April 9, 2010

Lansing ----- The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Program's environmental and beautification efforts continue with the start of construction on South Washington Avenue and the screetscape on Grand Avenue beginning next week.

Project area 034B (bounded by West Barnes Avenue, South Washington Avenue, Holmes Road and South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) is beginning construction on Monday, April 12. The area between Mt. Hope Road and Holmes Road will receive approximately $5 million in upgrades that include new water mains, sanitary and storm sewer lines as well as road improvements.

"Our 2010 Prescription for Progress will continue to make great strides as we begin working on this section of the community," said Chad Gamble, P.E., public service director for the City of Lansing. "It's important that we maintain our focus as we journey toward a cleaner, greener Lansing."

The project will involve some traffic flow changes and road closures on South Washington Avenue between Mt. Hope Road and Holmes Road, though the City has planned carefully to ensure these changes are minimally disruptive. Driving through neighborhoods during road closures is strongly discouraged. Detour routes will be clearly labeled for easy access around closed areas, with special attention being paid to the access of Ingham Regional Medical Center (IRMC).

The City of Lansing has worked closely with IRMC, located in project area 034B, for two and half years to prepare for these temporary road closures on South Washington Avenue. Designated routes for emergency vehicles and others will be accessible at all times. The IRMC employee parking lot will remain accessible during construction.

"Some adjustments will be necessary, but we are very appreciative of the City's hard work to make this as easy on IRMC, its patients, guests, volunteers and employees as possible," said David Courey, interim marketing director of IRMC.

Additionally, streetscape beautification efforts are continuing on Grand Avenue between Ottawa and Shiawassee streets. The beautification initiative takes advantage of the unique opportunity offered by the removal of the parking structure at Grand and Ottawa and the renovation at the new Accident Fund headquarters. This project will include newly upgraded walkways, flower beds and other features to revitalize and beautify the corridor. By linking these elements together, this effort will create a pleasant environment for passerby traffic as well as pedestrians.

The CSO Control Program is a 30-year initiative to separate the City of Lansing's outdated single-pipeline sewer system into a dual-pipeline system so sewage and runoff are carried separately. This work has already begun to dramatically reduce sewage overflows in completed project areas - as much as 952.1 million fewer gallons of sewage overflow hit Lansing's rivers each year as a result.

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