Sixth week of M 20 project

Photos by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

Based on reports by Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Construction of a $2.6 million pedestrian tunnel that will cross M 20 to Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo passed its sixth week. The project began March 9. 

M 20/Stony Lake Road is closed to traffic between 68th and 72nd avenues in the vicinity of the construction site.

The approximate 76-foot-long tunnel underneath M 20 will allow pedestrians and tram traffic to safely cross the road from the south parking lot to Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo. “This is being constructed for public safety, so that you won’t have pedestrians or trams crossing on M 20, because it’s high-speed and there is quite a bit of traffic and semi traffic,” said OCRC Managing Director Mark Timmer.

Eventually, there will no longer be any parking for the venue on the north side of M 20. 

M 20 is expected to be back open to traffic by the end of May, said Timmer. The tunnel would likely start being used by pedestrians around the end of August.

The tunnel will be approximately 24 feet wide. Pedestrians will use the west side of the tunnel, and tram traffic — tractors hauling farm visitors in trailers — will utilize the east side with a fence dividing the two lanes. 

The uniqueness of the project is not just limited to its design but also its construction. “It’s a precast concrete structure,” said Shafer, “meaning they’re building it off-site, but it’s getting shipped in and we assemble it in pieces.”

“There are probably only a handful of these under state trunklines in the state,” said Timmer. “And I don’t know of any that are built to handle tractor traffic,” added Shafer. 

A special allocation obtained from the State of Michigan by Senator Jon Bumstead is funding the project. “It’s completely funded by a special assessment from Senator Jon Bumstead,” said Cole. 

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