NORTHVILLE, Mich. — A crater roughly the size of an inground pool has left part of Clement Road near Main Street in Northville, Michigan, impassable, and Wayne County now says a full repair should be finished by the end of November, weather permitting.
Residents told reporters the trouble on the residential street goes back years. One neighbor said water running under the road appears to be the cause, and that the county replaced the problem area with a concrete slab a couple of years ago. Neighbors said crews removed that fix about three weeks ago, and recent heavy rain made the hole worse.
Neighbors said the closure keeps first responders from getting through, forces homeowners to call for trash pickup and has some drivers ignoring the closure signs. School buses that use the road daily have had to detour.
Wayne County’s Department of Public Services said it inspected old stormwater pipes under the road and a slope failure on the west side. The plan is to replace the stormwater pipe, install a complete drainage system with catch basins, restore the embankment and lay new pavement. Barricades, concrete barriers and cones are in place, and the county is asking drivers and pedestrians to use other routes.
Northville Township said the project is under the county’s authority and that it will keep in touch with Clement Road residents while work continues.