Street Lighting Design | Landscape Architecture | Construction Inspection

The Michigan Avenue Project was a pavement rehabilitation and streetscape enhancement from Broadway to Cherry Street. This $1.24 million Federal Aid project was administered by the City's Department of Public Works, Streets and Parks with oversight from the New York State Department of Transportation. This segment of Michigan Avenue was known as the last leg of the Underground Railroad that former slaves followed before crossing into Canada for freedom. This historic route was memorialized in the new decorative sidewalk which was designed to resemble the dirt trail that it once was when it was part of the Underground Railroad's route. The scope of work on this minor arterial involved a deep mill of the existing pavement, a two-course inlay with asphalt concrete, replacement of the granite curbs and new curb inlets and tie-ins to the existing drainage system. The project also included street-side landscaping, information plaques, and decorative street lighting. During the design phase, Watts was responsible for street lighting, landscaping, signs and pavement markings, and maintenance and protection of traffic. Michigan Avenue is a major thoroughfare into and out of the city used by 10,000 vehicles each day. Traffic was staged and maintained on site during construction. During the construction phase, Watts provided the Resident Inspector who oversaw the entire project. Our inspector provided daily inspection, all record keeping, coordination, and processed all of the contractor's requests for payment.