Van Buren Township

Sidewalk Replacement Program Conditions Assessment Begins


The Department of Public Services and Township's Engineering Consultant will begin a Preliminary Conditions Assessment (sidewalk markup) during the week of April 11th in Haggerty Subdivision as part of the sidewalk replacement program.

The Van Buren Township Public Services Department has been asked by the Board of Trustees to develop a sidewalk replacement program. A sidewalk replacement program provides an effective means to correct existing sidewalk defects. These defects include but are not limited to age deterioration, cracking, disintegration, root lifting, settling, and damage from construction activities. Repair or replacement of these defects is imperative to provide for safe pedestrian travel.

While most sidewalks abutting public roads in the Township are within the Wayne County right of way, the maintenance and upkeep of the sidewalk is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. Under a Michigan Supreme Court decision, local municipalities are responsible for making sure property owners maintain their sidewalks in a safe condition.

The staff has developed a program working with sidewalk contractors and consultants, based on nearby communities’ programs. The estimated costs for this program represent industry standards and pricing solicited from local contractors. Staff identified the initial project area of Van Buren Estates (Haggerty Subdivision) which includes 716 lots with sidewalks.

Following the Conditions Assessment, we will have a better sense of the full scope of the sidewalk replacement needs across the pilot project area. As the Conditions Assessment draws to a close, Van Buren Township will hold another Township Informational Meeting to review the project and discuss the next steps involving individual property owner communications and repairs, and to answer any and all questions concerning the repairs. The meeting will be held on April 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. The information is listed below. We hope to see you there! 

When: April 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Zoom
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82044875418 
Meeting ID: 82044875418 
Call-in: 1(312)626-6799 or 1(929)436-2866

If you would like to submit questions prior to the meeting, email publicservices@vanburen-mi.org.

Alternatively, you can drop off written comments to Van Buren Township Hall at
46425 Tyler Road.

For more information about the sidewalk replacement program, click here.