Construction Update: Pierce Reopens, Merrill Will Soon Follow

Good news: the construction project that took over the streets of downtown Birmingham this spring will be just a mere memory in a few weeks.

Though it was a massive source of frustration for many local businesses, drivers as well as pedestrians since mid-March, many much-needed updates were completed on Pierce and Merrill Streets. These updates included the installment and replacement of new water mains and sewer lines over 50 years old, new concrete on both city streets and sidewalks, the removal and replacement of dying street trees and the upgrading of decorative street lights.

One source of the headache is over though: Pierce Street reopened June 8. The city received new lights from DTE Energy and has since completed the landscaping in front of City Hall there.

According to Assistant City Engineer Brendan Cousino, the concrete on Merrill Street has been laid, and now work is being finished on the sidewalks. The street is currently only open to local residents who live in a nearby apartment complex as well as to delivery vehicles. It will be just a short time until Merrill will be open to the public once again.

“We expect a couple more weeks for the project to be completely finished,” Cousino said.