The Benton Township Board of Trustees has authorized more than $4.1 million in sewer projects to be completed this year.
At a Tuesday meeting, trustees voted to move ahead with the three projects, which will involve sanitary sewer lines along Gaines Drive, Highland Avenue, MLK Drive, Pine Street, Territorial Road, and in the Eden Springs area. Steve Oosting of engineering firm Prein and Newhof told us this is about old infrastructure.
“We’re addressing several needs with old deficient clay pipe sewers, structural deficiencies, issues with roots in the sewers, broken pipes,” Oosting said.
Oosting said these projects are being done in coordination with the Michigan Department of Transportation.
“MDOT is also undertaking significant roadway improvements this year as they have been in recent years. And so the goal with that is to coordinate with the transportation infrastructure happening by the state so that the township can take care of the underground utility needs at the same time.”
Oosting said MDOT will be working on I-94 and M-139 this year. He told us all of this work goes back several years and comes as part of an organized effort by the township to update its infrastructure.
“In 2020, the township board approved a multi-year capital improvement plan, which was based on an extensive three-year study of the sewer system to examine the system needs, prioritize those needs, and address the highest priority needs in order of what needs are most critical.”
Trustees on Tuesday also voted to authorize the issuance of $6 million in sanitary sewer bonds in 2026, which will pay for some of the projects approved at the same meeting.
