Bad news for motorists.
A change was made to the scope of the W. Burdick St./Seymour Lake Rd. reconstruction project, so the road will remain closed for an additional week.
‘July 26 is the new target date (to reopen the road),? said village engineer Rob Lavoie, president of the Pontiac-based Nowak & Fraus Engineers. ‘That can be adjusted. It’s not hard and fast.?
The road was originally scheduled to reopen on July 19.
There are two reasons for the delay.
One, a decision was made to install more storm sewer infrastructure to the township’s portion of the project.
‘The Oakland County Road Commission wanted to provide for some additional underground storm drainage work that would reduce future roadside maintenance,? Lavoie explained.
The other reason is the village is expecting to receive a request from the contractor for additional time due to weather conditions (i.e. rain) that have delayed the project’s progress, according to Lavoie.
‘The contractor’s got to have an acceptable rationale to be able to request an extension of time,? he said. ‘Obviously, we and the village review any of those requests.?
The 1,691-foot stretch of W. Burdick St./Seymour Lake Rd. between Ashley Way in the village and S. Waterstone Dr. in the township has been closed since June 11 for the reconstruction project, which includes rebuilding the road from base to surface, making drainage improvements, lowering the hill, and installing curb and gutter.
There are several ways that drivers can avoid the road closure.
Motorists heading west can take Pontiac St. to W. Drahner Rd., then cross back to Seymour Lake Rd. using either Coats or Sanders roads.
Motorists heading east can follow S. Waterstone Dr. to Market St., which leads to M-24. The speed limit on both roads is 25 miles per hour. It’s being enforced by Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies.
Truck traffic, with the exception of local deliveries, is prohibited from using S. Waterstone Dr. and Market St. as a detour route.
Trucks are being directed to use Dunlap Rd. to travel between Seymour Lake Rd. and M-24.
Village police are issuing citations for careless driving to motorists who are ignoring the road closure and traveling through the construction zone. The ticket penalizes motorists with a $205 fine and three points on their driving record.
Although the road is closed, the five businesses located just east of the construction zone ? Frosty Boy, Art & Dick’s Party Store, Little Caesars, Paul’s Barber Shop and Subway ? are still open and easily accessible.