Now that warm weather has returned, the city’s street repair program is back on the road this year. The city will also start up an alley repair program that will focus first along Jos. Campau.
By Charles Sercombe
They’re back, and growing.
Even though we had a mild winter, it still took a toll on the city’s roads. Potholes are now popping up throughout the city.
But the city is on top of it, so there is no need to call out the all-volunteer Hamtramck Guerilla Pothole Repair Crew – at least not yet.
Hamtramck is not alone in experiencing a pothole problem. According to a recent Detroit Free Press story, the Michigan pothole hotline (888-296-4546) has been swamped with calls.
A work crew began this week to cold patch the worst of the streets.
Not only are potholes back, the city’s road repair plan for this year has already begun.
The center portion of Holmes and Dorothy will be replaced.
Also coming down the pike will be the resurfacing of Charest, between Holbrook and Evaline; Lehman from Conant to Jos. Campau; and Lumpkin from Caniff to Commor.
City Manager Katrina Powell is meeting with the city’s engineering consultants to get an update on all of the street and alley improvement projects coming soon.
“We will be very busy this summer with approximately three to five streets being improved and our long anticipated alley reconstruction program starting in our business districts of Jos. Campau and Conant,” Powell said.
“In addition, we will continue with our road striping program by painting additional crosswalks and stop bars placed along major residential collector streets.”
This is an awkward moment for the city administration though. The director of Public Works, Mark Ragsdale, is leaving for a new job, and Powell’s employment contract will expire on June 30.
At this point it’s unclear if the state will step in and extend her contract. The city is still under state financial supervision.