The contractor for the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) will close Union Lake Road between Wise and Commerce roads in Commerce Township, on Tuesday, July 19. The road is then expected to remain closed through approximately Sept. 17.
The road closure is necessary so RCOC can replace a culvert under the road. During the closure, the detour route for through traffic will be Wise Road to Carroll Lake Road to Commerce Road and back to Union Lake Road and vice versa. Motorists should expect delays in the area during rush hours.
RCOC has installed a work zone camera at the site that is now providing a real-time public view of the project. The camera takes a photo every 15 minutes between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Viewers can watch the progress of the project by clicking on the “Union Lake Road Culvert Project Work Zone Camera” link in the “Helpful Links” section at the bottom of the Road Commission website home page (www.rcocweb.org). The direct link to the camera is: https://share.earthcam.net/tJ90CoLmq7TzrY396Yd88OtVRuN3ohrItB0OLaU85gw!/union_lake_road_culvert_replacement/union_lake_road_and_wise_road/view_1. Site visitors can view photos of the project or a time-lapse series that combines all photos taken in succession. RCOC will also produce a compilation of all the photos following the completion of the project.
One lane of the road has been closed since June 20 as part of the project.
During the work, access will be maintained at all times to all homes and businesses within the construction area as well as to the adjacent boat launch on Union Lake. Throughout and after the project, existing water levels on Union Lake will be maintained.
The project, originally planned for 2021, was delayed after RCOC staff discovered a major utility line had not been properly relocated prior to construction. The incorrectly relocated utility line conflicted with the planned location of the new culvert as well as with the necessary construction steps planned to protect the waterway as required by the state Department of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The issue was resolved earlier this year by the utility company.
The project cost, approximately $780,000, is shared by RCOC and Commerce Township.
In addition to the culvert replacement, the project includes:
- Replacement of the lake-level structure adjacent to the road
- Replacement of curbs and gutters in the affected road section
- Replacement of 200 feet of asphalt pavement
- Replacement of guardrails, signs and pavement markings
The contractor for the project is VIL Construction of Sterling Heights.
This section of Union Lake Road carries approximately 34,000 vehicles per day. For more information
on the Union Lake culvert-replacement project, visit the RCOC website at www.rcocweb.org (click on the “Road Projects” icon on the home page and then select “Union Lake Road Culvert Replacement”. The direct link is: http://rcocweb.org/605/Union-Lake-Road-Culvert-Replacement.
For questions on the project, contact RCOC through any of the following methods:
