Members of the Northville City Council approved preliminary design work for a roundabout at Seven Mile and South Center.
During a recent meeting, council members authorized a contract for professional services with OHM Advisors to provide preliminary design and engineering work for the traffic configuration. The $150,000 fee will be paid from the city Major Streets Fund, following approval of a budget amendment to fund the cost. Officials said a reimbursement for the cost would be requested from Hunter Pasteur Northville, developer of the Downs property, as part of the development agreement in progress.
The engineering design work is needed to secure grants, starting with a $1.5 million grant from SEMCOG, officials explained, as part of the Carbon Reduction Program, a new federal program to provide funding for projects and strategies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions from on-road vehicles.
Data from both new and existing traffic impact studies will be incorporated into the plans, and public informational meetings will be scheduled during the design process. Officials said Wayne County, owner of the roads, is also involved and supportive of a roundabout.
Officials said the roundabout was the first step toward improving an underperforming intersection and a gateway to the city.
