WINNER - PAVING ARTERIALS

3-Apr-16-2025-06-09-04-7450-PM

Mound ROad Design/Build Reconstruction Project


Location: From I-696 North to M-59
Concrete Contractor: Ajax Paving Industries, Inc.
Design Engineer: HNTB
Project Owner: Macomb County Department of Roads
QC Consultant: CT Consultants - A Verdantas Company

The Mound Road reconstruction project is a major part of the local “Innovate Mound” initiative to rebuild Mound Road in Macomb County, from I-696 north to M-59 and widening from 3 to 4 lanes from 17 Mile Rd to M-59. The goal of the project is to create a user-friendly corridor that is safe for motorized vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The project incorporates state-of-the-art design and smart technology to create a modern corridor. This extensive reconstruction addresses the long-standing issues of a 40-year-old roadway that exceeded its expected lifespan and would have otherwise imposed high maintenance costs on Macomb County residents.

Spanning approximately nine miles from 11 Mile Road to M-59, the project included comprehensive improvements such as new concrete pavement, enhanced drainage systems, upgraded curbs and driveways, optimized traffic signals, and the incorporation of fiber optic communication technology. A total of over 600,000 square yards of 11-inch-high performance concrete was placed by Ajax, amounting to almost 200,000 cubic yards of new concrete pavement.

Throughout the project, meticulous planning was essential to navigate the complexities of maintaining access to businesses and residential properties.The paving strategy included "gapping" driveways and directional crossovers to ensure continued access for residents and businesses. Project teams collaborated closely with community members to devise effective plans for paving that minimized inconvenience. This approach prioritized the needs of Macomb County residents, requiring night work in high volume traffic areas to allow for lower impacts to traffic while keeping access routes operational.

Paving was completed from M-59 to approximately 15-1/2 Mile Road in 2022, and from 15-1/2 Mile south to 11 Mile Road in 2023. Temporary widenings were placed in 2021 and 2022 within the median to allow for 2 lanes of traffic to be maintained while the outside 2 lanes were constructed.

Ajax placed all the mainline pavement at 24’-0” wide with a combination of various slipform pavers and texture/cure machines. Turnarounds and widening lanes were placed with a combination of slipform paving and fixed form paving with a roller screed. Ajax utilized a stringless grade control system for all grade trimming and concrete paving equipment. They strategically set-up two portable concrete batch plants, one at the north end of the project and one at the south, to produce the high-performance concrete required for the pavement. Concrete was delivered to the site with a combination of agitor and tri-axle dump trucks.

Access to businesses and residences along Mound Road and the affected cross streets was required to be maintained throughout the entire duration of construction. Maintaining traffic meant that mainline paving was gapped at driveways to maintain access and major cross streets and side streets were staged and built part-width. After the outside lanes were completed, traffic was switched to the new pavement while the median lanes and turnarounds were constructed.

Projected outcomes include:

  • Safety: The redesigned corridor promotes increased safety for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
  • Innovation: State-of-the-art design and smart technology are integrated to create a modern, multimodal transportation hub.
  • Economic Impact: The project has supported over 200,000 jobs in Macomb County and is poised to bolster future economic growth through enhanced infrastructure.
  • Community Enhancement: Aesthetic upgrades, including landscaping and placemaking, will beautify Mound Road and enrich the surrounding neighborhoods.

Overall, the innovative Mound project represents a forward-thinking investment in the community's infrastructure, setting the stage for sustainable growth and improved quality of life for residents and visitors alike.