Dearborn City Council Greenlights Local Road Projects

While it might not feel like it outside, this week marks the beginning of spring, and with it comes the start of construction season in Michigan.

The Dearborn City Council unanimously approved a contract with Shelby Twp.-based DiPonio Contracting, Inc. for water main replacement and asphalt street repaving in several neighborhoods at its meeting on Tuesday.

According to information provided by the council, the contract calls for water main replacement at Kentucky Street from Warren Avenue to Tireman Avenue; Indiana Street from Warren Avenue to Tireman Avenue; Queen Street from Madison Street to north of Oxford Street; Hubbard Street from Madison Street to Oxford; and Vassar Street from Princeton to Oxford.

The streets will also be resurfaced with new concrete curb upon completion of the water main reconstruction. Diversey Street from Wyoming to east of Wisconsin Street, and Morross from Wyoming to east of Wisconsin street will also be resurfaced.

The total cost of the project is $3.4 million, which will be paid for from the city's Sewer Fund and Local Street Fund.

The council also approved a contingency of up to $100,000 to cover any unforeseen issues during the project.

"This is a massive undertaking for our streets," council president Thomas Tafelski said. "It might be an inconvenience for some of our residents, but once the project is complete, we'll be better off in the long run."

DiPonio was the lowest of five bidders, Tafelski said.

The project is expected to begin in the spring. No date was available at the time of this posting.

In other action:

• The council approved Mayor John O’Reilly, Jr.'s appointment of Vincent Spica to the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority for a term ending on June. 30, 2015. Dearborn resident Kevin Watts was appointed to the Planning Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2014; and Glen Green was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals through June 30, 2016.