Groveland Twp.- Before the paving project is completed the rural landscape that boarders Groveland Road will be changed forever..
A $2 million county project to pave a mile stretch of Groveland Road between Barron and Jossman roads started last week sparking some rather significant tree cutting operations.
About 300 trees along Groveland Road ranging in trunk size from about 8 inches to about 37 inches are scheduled to be removed as the project moves forward.
‘That’s a lot of trees,? said Craig Bryson, Road Commission for Oakland County public information officer. ‘We made a number of compromises to try to take fewer trees, including reducing the lane and shoulder width.?
‘It’s a standard width road we don’t go in and clear cut along gravel roads like we do paved roads.?
Bryson said paving an old country thoroughfare like Groveland Road is like building a road from scratch. Roads like that, added Bryson evolved from old farm lanes established in the early part of the last century.
‘It’s true of a vast majority of gravel roads, there’s no drainage systems’which must change when pavement is applied. Also, when more people move out to the country it changes everything.?