Southfield Road boulevard plan moves to design; construction is years away
Southfield will pay $350,000 toward engineering for a six-lane boulevard from Mount Vernon to 13 Mile, a project talked about for some 25 years. Construction, which isn't funded yet, would come in 2030 or 2031.
By OCJ Staff
A long-discussed plan to turn Southfield Road into a six-lane boulevard has taken a step forward, though drivers won't see construction for years.
The Southfield City Council on Sept. 22 approved a cost-sharing agreement with the Road Commission for Oakland County to pay for engineering and design, C&G Newspapers' Southfield Sun reported. The vote tally was not reported.
The money
Design and engineering are expected to cost $3.5 million:
- Federal Surface Transportation Program money covers $2.8 million.
- The Road Commission and the city split the remaining $700,000 — $350,000 each. Southfield's share comes from its major streets budget.
Construction is not funded and would need a separate approval later.
The project
The plan calls for a six-lane boulevard with a median from Mount Vernon to 13 Mile Road. Southfield's portion runs from Mount Vernon to Lincoln Drive. The idea has been discussed for about 25 years.
The expected timeline:
- Design: fiscal years 2027-28
- Right-of-way: fiscal years 2028-30
- Construction: 2030 or 2031
Mayor Kenson Siver said the road as it is "really divides the community," according to the Sun. Councilwoman Yolanda Haynes raised concerns about people soliciting on the median.
This story uses reporting from C&G Newspapers.