BIRMINGHAM RECEIVES APWA PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Nowak & Fraus Engineers is pleased to announce that its client, the City of Birmingham, has won the American Public Works Association (APWA) Metro Detroit Branch, 2009 Project of the Year Award, in the less than 5 Million Structures Category, for the Pocket Park/ Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project locate at the Chester Street and W. Maple Road intersection. Nowak & Fraus Engineers had the honor of serving as lead consultant for this important City of Birmingham project.

The Chester Street and Maple Road Intersection is a major part of the City’s “Ring Road” system, a vital traffic corridor within the downtown area of the City of Birmingham. The road itself, which consists of a number of downtown streets of different names, forms a “ring” or loop around the City, enabling vehicles to bypass the central part of the downtown thereby alleviating traffic congestion. The intersection of Chester Street and Maple Road, is one of the busiest corners in the ring bypass, and presented a safety concern for pedestrians crossing the intersection. The City, acting through its City Engineer, Paul T. O’Meara, P.E. recognized the need to improve the safety of the intersection, and at the same time enhance the aesthetics of the downtown area by adding the pocket park “oasis” for pedestrians.

Prior to the improvements the geometry of the Maple/Chester intersection presented a risk to pedestrians using the crosswalk where angled crosswalks would confuse pedestrians and drivers alike. At times, pedestrians, waiting for the traffic signal to change, would stand in the pavement part of the crosswalk putting them at risk at being hit by vehicles.

An added benefit of reconfiguring the intersection was the creation of available land to enable construction of two (2) separate park areas each fitted with benches and exposed aggregate curb planter islands with trees and plantings. The separate park areas are attractively tied together with a mixture of exposed aggregate sidewalk and scored concrete sidewalk laid out in a curvilinear fashion. New decorative lighting and other amenities complete the design. Through the use of good construction management techniques on the part of the City of Birmingham, its engineering consultants and the contractor, the project was completed in a safe manner, on schedule and within the project budget.

NFE is proud to share in the success of the City of Birmingham in receiving this award, and we are very pleased to be an integral member of the project team.