Construction Updates as of May 2008

There are nine divisions that make up the Carrier Creek Stormwater Management and Restoration Project. Construction updates for each division follow. (View division locations here.)

Division I (north of I-496):
Stabilization of the Sherwood Forest Drain is complete, which included bank and bed stabilization, construction of a sediment basin, and construction of two riffle structures to dissipate energy and stabilize the channel. On Michigan Avenue, a box culvert has been installed and roadsides have been stabilized and planted. On Willow Highway, the old box culvert has been removed and a new box culvert has been installed.

Division II, Box Culvert Division (south of I-496):
Six concrete box culverts have been installed to replace existing bridge crossings. The box culverts have a larger capacity to convey the flow of the creek under existing roadways.  

Division III, Storm sewer construction and roadwork (south of I-496):
There are three major locations in this division: the Moon and Hamilton Branch, Canal Road, and the relief drain south of Central Circle Drive. The purpose of this division was to install storm sewer to convey the flow of stormwater underground to the open drain. Final restoration activities for this work has been completed.

Division IV, Open drain construction (south of I-496):
Sediment, debris and fallen trees have been removed from the Carrier Creek. Drain cleanout on the Carrier Creek downstream of I-96 is complete as well as additional cleanout for the areas upstream of I-96 and for the South Branch of the Carrier Creek (between Central Circle Drive and I-496). Division IV also includes the installation of several large culverts. The cleanout work is complete, as well as the installation of the large culverts.

Division V, Pond and water level control structures (south of I-496 and east of Canal Rd.):
A detention basin was constructed south of I-496, near the convergence of the Carrier Creek and the South Branch of the Carrier Creek. Material from the detention basin was excavated and used to construct dams for the main branch and the South Branch of the creek. These dams act as detention structures controlling the amount of flow released downstream. During large storms, water will be detained by the structures and released at a controlled rate. This will help alleviate downstream flooding and reduce downstream erosion. Construction within this area is complete.

Division VI, Detention area (south of Mt. Hope Hwy, west of I-96):
This division involves construction of a wetland detention area to manage stormwater, with inlet and outlet control structures to regulate flow. The purpose is to alleviate flooding throughout the watershed particularly in the northern (downstream) portions of Carrier Creek. Construction of the wetland is complete and the area received wetland plantings this spring.

Division VII, Open drain and wetland construction (south of Mt. Hope Hwy, west of I-96):
To more effectively manage stormwater, a wetland complex and water level control structure are being constructed between Guinea Road and I-96, north of Sundance Hwy. The construction activities range from mass earth excavation to the construction of a concrete water level control structure. The majority of the earth excavation is complete with the remaining areas to be finalized this spring. Final wetland plantings will be completed in April 2008.

Division VIII, Plantings (several areas south of I-496):
Division VIII encompasses all of the wetland plantings associated with the project. As contractors complete construction activities, seeding and planting will take place along open parts of the drain, in all detention areas, and elsewhere as needed. Seeding and planting times will be calculated based on their growing seasons and when the construction will be completed.

Division IX, Electrical (several areas south of I-496):
The Clean Michigan Initiative Grant—which has helped in large part to fund the Carrier Creek project—requires ongoing stream monitoring. Division IX involves all of the electric wiring that is needed for specific water level control structures and monitoring equipment. At this time, the Division IX contractor is installing the electrical components for the monitoring equipment as contractors complete the water level control structures.