Cranbrook Road resurfacing delayed until 2021

A road resurfacing project along Cranbrook Road from 14 Mile Road to Maple that had been scheduled for 2020 has been delayed for a year to avoid conflict with other projects that will take place near the Cranbrook Road project, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) said.

The city of Birmingham in 2020 will be reconstructing a portion of Maple Road between Southfield and Woodward, while Royal Oak will be working on 14 Mile between Greenfield and Crooks. Further, the Village of Beverly Hills will reconstruct 13 Mile Road between Southfield and Evergreen roads in 2020.

"The Road Commission, the city of Birmingham and Bloomfield Township realize that three major road projects in close proximity would have caused problems for traffic in the area," said RCOC Managing Director Dennis Kolar. "While we are anxious to resurface this section of Cranbrook Road, we have to balance that need with the concerns of motorists in the area. When the project was originally scheduled, we were not aware that the 14 Mile project would be moved to 2020."

The 14 Mile Road project was initially slated for 2019, but was moved to 2020 when bids came in too high.

Birmingham City Manager Joe Valentine said while roads are in need of repair, it's important to work collaboratively to avoid unnecessary congestion.

The project involves milling, or removing the existing paved surface, followed by the application of three inches of new asphalt. It also includes curb repair, pedestrian improvements and traffic signal improvements. The RCOC will cover half the cost of the $1.5 million project, with Bloomfield Township and Birmingham splitting the remaining cost. The Oakland County general government is expected to contribute to the communities' portions of the cost through the Tri-Party Program.

"Although we are anxious to get this portion of Cranbrook completed, we are cognizant of the other projects going on at the same time," said Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie. "In the long run, this delay will have the least amount of negative impact to the residents in the area."