STURGIS – Work on a city street will start on Saturday according to the City of Sturgis.

City officials says contractors will begin work on the Vinewood and East Congress Street road improvement project on this Saturday, September 18th. While the City understands the timing for this project is not ideal as it takes place during the school year, the ability to schedule the work was impacted by requirements of state grants being used for the project.

The project is expected to last six weeks with completion scheduled for October 30th. This schedule is subject to change based on weather and/or unforeseen circumstances.

Last paved in 1974, improvements to Vinewood Avenue are necessary based on its current pavement condition (or PASER) rating of two out of a possible ten. City officials say the project will involve complete asphalt removal and replacement for all of Vinewood. Two hundred and fifty feet of Vinewood Avenue, south of East Congress Street will also be widened and paved at a 22 foot width. East Congress between Farwell and Vinewood will have 350 feet reconstructed and widened. Storm sewer improvements, sidewalk additions, ADA sidewalk ramp improvements, and sidewalk repair will also occur in both sections of the project. Sturgis received $375,000 in grant funding from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Small Urban program for the project. Total project cost is just over $700,000 including design work, inspections, and a construction contingency budget.