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City of Lansing Gives Oakland Avenue The Cleaner, Greener Treatment

2011 CSO Control Program and Other City Projects Announced at Spring Media Roundtable

March 29, 2011

Lansing ----- The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Program returns with a focus on one of Lansing's major roadways in a continuing effort to make the city cleaner, greener and healthier.

Beginning in April, through October, Oakland Avenue will be closed between Walnut Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (including the intersection at Walnut Street and Oakland Avenue). An additional section of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, between Oakland Avenue and Saginaw Street, will be closed from June through September to southbound traffic (northbound traffic will be maintained). The City of Lansing, along with their friendly pal Swish the Fish, the CSO mascot, will help guide drivers and provide important information about closures during the construction season.

"The CSO Control Program is a long-term project for a healthier city and will have a deep impact on our local environment and rivers for years to come," said Dean Johnson, City Engineer. "We're asking for everyone's patience and understanding during the months ahead. Although this is a common route for many residents and travelers to Lansing's Westside, it is an important stretch in completing the 015N CSO project area."

Drivers will be directed north on Seymour Avenue, west along Willow Street and south on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from April through June and September through October. From June through September, drivers will be directed south on Jenison Avenue while the section of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (between Oakland Avenue and Saginaw Street) is closed. The Sparrow Hospital St. Lawrence campus will remain open and easily accessible during this time.

The CSO Control Program is a 30-year initiative to separate the City of Lansing's outdated single-pipeline sewer system into a dual-pipeline system so sewage and stormwater are carried separately. This work has already dramatically reduced sewage overflows in completed project areas - as much as 952.1 million gallons of sewage overflow will not reach Lansing's rivers each year as a result of work completed to date.

In addition to the CSO Control Program, several City projects, including street reconstruction and resurfacing projects and sewer rehabilitation projects, are scheduled for 2011.

These projects include:

STREET CONSTRUCTION

Kalamazoo Street will be closed to westbound traffic from Larch Street to Pennsylvania Avenue

- Eastbound traffic will be maintained; westbound traffic will be detoured to Michigan Avenue

- Scheduled for mid-April to mid-July
Beginning May through the end of June, Jolly Road from Aurelius Road to Dunckel Road will experience single lane closures for milling and resurfacing; no detours will be needed.

From mid-May to mid-July, Pennsylvania Avenue from Miller Road to Cedar Street will experience daytime lane and shoulder closures for milling and resurfacing. There will be some nighttime work, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., as well as nighttime detours. Access will be maintained to businesses.

Clippert Street, from Michigan Avenue to Kalamazoo Street, will be closed for reconstruction beginning June until late August. Motorists will be detoured to Homer Street and Howard Avenue.

From late August to October, Clippert Street will be closed for milling, resurfacing and some sewer replacement work. Motorists will again be directed to Homer Street and Howard Avenue. Intersections to and from Frandor will be open and accessible. Access to businesses will be maintained.

Turner Street, from Carrier Street to Sheridan Road, will be closed for reconstruction in conjunction with Board of Water & Light water main work beginning April until September.

Motorists will be detoured to Sheridan Road, MLK Jr. Boulevard and Filley Street. Some work will require closure of the Sheridan Road intersection at which time traffic will be detoured to State Road.

Road construction unrelated to City projects will take place on West Saginaw Street (west of the City limits), Cedar Street and Larch Street this summer.

For more information about these State of Michigan projects, please visit www.michigan.gov/mdot.

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

Bridge rehabilitation is scheduled from late April through July on Pennsylvania Avenue, with lane closures only.

SEWER CONSTRUCTION

Two major streets will experience lane closures (late summer construction):

- Pennsylvania Avenue from Miller Road north 350 feet (east side)

- Wood Street from Northampton Way south 350 feet(east side)

Three other streets will be closed to through traffic during sewer construction:

- Christiansen Road from Reo Road to 300 feet north of Pierce Road

- Donald Street from Cox Boulevard to Potter Street

- Grace Street from Michigan Avenue to Ionia Street

Maps and details regarding these major projects, along with bi-weekly editions of the Construction Observer, can be found on the City of Lansing website www.Lansingmi.gov and CSO website www.LansingCSO.com. The City of Lansing also utilizes Nixle (www.nixle.com), an online service that uses text messaging and e-mail to keep users informed on emergency alerts, advisories and community events. Lansing residents can sign up for this service on the City of Lansing website.

For the latest news and developments on the CSO Control Program, and to learn more about the environment and living green, join Swish the Fish's Facebook Fan Page and follow him on Twitter (@SwishTheFish).

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