Water main installation project on Beckley, Helmer roads wraps up with paving this week

Greyson Steele, Battle Creek Enquirer
·2 min read
City contractor crews are paving sections of Helmer and Beckley roads this week, marking the final phase of a water main installation project that began in June.
City contractor crews are paving sections of Helmer and Beckley roads this week, marking the final phase of a water main installation project that began in June.

BATTLE CREEK — A monthslong project to provide new water main connections in the area of Beckley and Helmer roads is nearing the finish line.

City contractor crews began paving sections of both roads Monday, marking the final phase of a project that began in June. Work has included removing the existing asphalt; installing new water main, fire hydrants, and water services to the right of way; and now, repaving with new asphalt.

Beckley Road, from Helmer Road South to Minges Road South, will undergo paving through Tuesday. This section of road is stillclosed to thru traffic, and willremain closed through the paving work.

The following recommended detour route is still in place:

  • Eastbound Beckley Road traffic: Turn left on Helmer Road South, turn right on Columbia Avenue, turn right on Riverside Drive, and then turn left to resume eastbound on Beckley Road

  • Westbound Beckley Road traffic: Turn right on Riverside Drive, turn left on Columbia Avenue, turn left on Helmer Road South, and then turn right to resume westbound on Beckley Road

Contractor crews will then mill and pave Helmer Road South, from the intersection of Helmer and the westbound I-94 entrance ramp to Beckley Road, on Wednesday and Thursday. This section of road will be closed to thru traffic beginning Wednesday and remain closed through the milling and paving work.

During this closure of Helmer Road, the following detour route will be in place:

  • Northbound Helmer Road South traffic: Turn right on Beckley Road, turn left on Riverside Drive, turn left on Columbia Avenue, and then turn right to resume northbound on Helmer Road

  • Southbound Helmer Road South traffic: Turn left on Columbia Avenue, turn right on Riverside Drive, turn right on Beckley Road, and then turn left to resume southbound on Helmer Road

No thru traffic will be allowed along these sections of Beckley Helmer during the closures, except for neighbors living along these stretches of roadway for access to and from their homes. Neighbors living in these areas are encouraged to drive along the roadways as little as possible to reach their homes, city officials said.

Neighbors and drivers are also asked to not touch or move any barricades or traffic control signage, as doing so could lead to accidents.

Crews anticipate the milling and paving work will be completed by Thursday, with work hours generally during daylight, dependent on any weather-related delays.

There are currently no water main connections to the city’s water system in this area. Neighbors in this area wishing to connect their home to the city’s water system should contact the city’s Engineering Division at, 269-966-3343.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Water main installation on Beckley, Helmer roads nearly complete