Avon Road corridor reopens to traffic

ROCHESTER HILLS — The Avon Road corridor and a new roundabout at the intersection of 23 Mile and Dequindre roads are now open to traffic near Yates Cider Mill, on the border of Rochester Hills and Shelby Township.

The Great Lakes Water Authority and the Road Commission for Oakland County have been working together over the past couple of years to coordinate roadway and drinking water infrastructure improvements — including the installation of a 96-inch GLWA water transmission main, the removal and replacement of the Avon bridge over the Clinton River, pedestrian safety upgrades, the construction of two roundabouts and the reconstruction and widening of Avon Road from just east of the entrance to Yates Park to the 23 Mile and Dequindre intersection.

On Aug. 25, officials celebrated the reopening of Avon Road between Dequindre Road and 23 Mile Road and the 23 Mile Road and Dequindre Road intersection, which have been closed since last December.

“This is the culmination of a lot of work, a lot of planning and a lot of effort,” said Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, noting that the intersection divides counties, cities, townships and road commissions. “You don’t often see the kind of collaboration work successfully like you do here.”

Road Commission for Oakland County Chair Andrea Lalonde said the project has been a great cooperative effort.

“Not only will 1 million people who rely on this 96-inch water transmission main be assured of continued high-quality water service because of the project, but residents of both Macomb and Oakland County and many communities in the vicinity benefit from safer roads and pedestrian routes with greatly improved traffic flow and pedestrian access,” she said. “It’s a perfect example of what can be done when we work together for the betterment of our collective communities.”

The project cost is $36 million in upgrades for this phase. 

The next phase of the water transmission main relocation project — which will begin in mid-November — involves adding two new pipe segments on Dequindre and making road improvements on Dequindre between Avon and Hamlin, and between 23 Mile and the Macomb Orchard Trail.

Officials said additional road closures and detours will be in place along Dequindre Road, between Avon Road and Hamlin Road, in mid-November through the fall of 2025.

GLWA officials say the work will increase the reliability of the water main serving multiple communities in southeast Michigan, improve access for operations and maintenance, and improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

“We look forward to continuing our work with these communities,” said Cheryl Porter, the chief operating officer for the GLWA.

For more information about the project, visit glwater.org/96inchwatermain or call (877) 237-7311.