04-28-2007 City to Begin Major Upgrades to South Michigan St.

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sou Tx e ti y U d W Pe \cE N y 1565 Office of the Mayor MEDIA RELEASE Saturday, April 28, 2007 Contact: Carl Littrell, City Engineer—574-235-9251 Mikki Dobski, Communications & Special Projects—574-235-58551876-1564 City to Begin Major Upgrades to South Michigan St. SOUTH BEND, In. — As part of the continuing new development on the city's south side, South Bend will begin road reconstruction, on Michigan St. from Chippewa Ave. to the U.S. 31 Bypass. The construction will occur in three phases, starting on Tuesday, May 1 and continuing through October 31, 2007. Among a number of improvements, Michigan St. will be widened to accommodate a new center turn lane to enhance safety and improve traffic flow and accessibility in the area. "The exciting success of the City's south side development has significantly increased traffic flow along Michigan, Ireland, and Chippewa," said Mayor Luecke. "The upcoming reconstruction effort will ensure that economic progress goes hand in hand with important driver and pedestrian safety." According to City Engineer, Carl Littrell, the reconstruction project will serve to accomplish a number of different goals. "When completed, the $2.99 million project will not only provide a strong, renewed driving surface," said Littrell, "it will also reduce congestion at the intersection of Ireland and Michigan and provide safer left turns into driveways at homes and businesses by creating a center left turn lane between Ireland and Chippewa." The new road will also add and extend curbs and sidewalks in order to increase pedestrian mobility and safety, and will provide a separated storm water collection system, eliminating the puddles that dot many business entrances. The first phase of the reconstruction project, on South Michigan and Chippewa, will begin on May 1 and will last for six weeks, weather permitting. Access to all area businesses will be maintained throughout the project. -more- This project leverages more than $2.3 million in federal(gas tax) funds, retuning these dollars to our community. The City provided a local match of 20%, using Local Road and Street(state gas tax) funds. Walsh & Kelly, a South Bend company won the state bid for this project.