Orchard Lake Road redone with tri-party funds

By Lisa Brody

Orchard Lake Road between Middlebelt and Telegraph in Bloomfield Township will be rebuilt this summer by the Road Commission of Oakland County (RCOC) after Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved participating with tri-party funds.

Noah Mehalski, township public works director, said the township has been a long-time participant in Oakland County's tri-party program, in which Oakland County, RCOC and a local community split a local road project's costs three-ways, with RCOC providing the road work. He noted that last year's Cranbrook Road reconstruction between Maple and 14 Mile Road was a tri-party project.

This year, he said, Orchard Lake Road between Middlebelt and Telegraph needs repairs and structural improvements, and RCOC has agreed to support the township's request to use tri-party funds to improve the road as it is a connector in the area.

The project will include the replacement of culverts with safety enhancements, minor base improvements and complete resurfacing. The total cost of the project is $2.14 million, which will also include further work down Orchard Lake Road. MDOT is paying $1.8 million towards the cost of the project, utilizing federal funds. The local share for Bloomfield Township is $77,963; Sylvan Lake will contribute $58,472; and West Bloomfield, $58,472.

Oakland County Board of Commissioners approved paying $194,910 towards the project.

Mehalski said the road work is set to take place this summer.

“The tri-party program is a win-win-win,” he said.

“It's a great program, it's a great road to do, and for what we have to put into it and what we get, it's a great deal,” said treasurer Brian Kepes.