The Nixon Road Corridor Improvement Project is a full road reconstruction from just north of the Huron Parkway roundabout to just south of Dhu Varren Road.

Nixon - Aurora Public Education

Nixon - Aurora Public Education

May 15, 2026

This week, the Contractor continued work on the new storm sewer and stormwater detention system. The Contractor also completed the main water connections.

For the week of May 18th:

  • Install new hydrants and water services
  • Continue installation of the new storm sewer and stormwater detention system

Northbound drivers at Aurora are reminded that left turns around the delineator posts are not allowed. We would like to remind drivers that the roundabout at Sandalwood Circle will remain open for the remainder of this project for those wishing to access Parkway Meadows or make a U-turn to southbound Nixon Road.

May 8, 2026

This week, the Contractor continued work on the new storm sewer and stormwater detention system, now focusing on the work near the Traver-Nixon intersection. The Contractor is also installing water main connections, which may result in a temporary water main shutdown for some residents. Residents impacted by water main shutdowns will be contacted prior to the shutdown.

For the week of May 11th:

  • Complete remaining water main connections
  • Continue installation of the new storm sewer and stormwater detention system

As the Contractor completes water main connections, you may see debris in the form of particulate matter and brown water to be present in the water supplied to your home. This is not harmful and is expected as a normal part of water main construction, however it is possible that you may experience low water flow due to the aerators in your faucets being clogged with the sedimentary debris. To prevent this, please remove the aerators from your faucets and then run faucets on cold until all debris is flushed from your system. Once your system runs clear water from all faucets you can reinstall the aerators.

May 1, 2026

This week, the Contractor continued work on the new storm sewer and stormwater detention system, focusing on the work near the Bluett-Nixon intersection.

For the week of May 4th:

  • Test and connect the new water main into the system
  • Continue installation of the new storm sewer and stormwater detention system

Weather permitting, the Contractor expects to have utility work completed in May! The Contractor will move onto work related to paving the roadway following the completion of the utility work.

April 24, 2026

This week, the Contractor began work on the new storm sewer and stormwater detention system, focusing on the work near the Bluett-Nixon intersection.

For the week of April 27th:

  • Prepare to connect new water main into the system
  • Continue installation of the new storm sewer and stormwater detention system

Weather permitting, the Contractor expects to have utility work completed in early May! The Contractor will move onto work related to paving the roadway following the completion of the utility work.

April 17, 2026

This week, the Contractor continued work on the new water main and began preparations for the new storm sewer system to be installed.

For the week of April 20th:

  • Complete the new water main installation
  • Begin installation of the new storm sewer system

We would also like to remind Drivers that left turns from Aurora Street to Nixon Road are no longer allowed. Drivers wishing to drive south on Nixon Road from Aurora Street should drive north to the roundabout at Sandalwood Circle and then proceed south. The roundabout at Sandalwood Circle remains open during Phase 2 construction.

April 10, 2026

This week the contractor continued work on the new water main and milled the existing road surface.

Week of April 13:

  • Complete the new water main installation
  • Continue pavement removal in preparation for utility work
  • Begin installation of the new storm sewer system

Reminders

Parents and guardians dropping off or picking up students at Logan Elementary School should do so on school property — not on Nixon Road near the closure. Access to Logan Elementary remains available via Huron Parkway and Traver Blvd. to the south.

Drivers should also be aware that left turns from Aurora Street onto Nixon Road are no longer permitted. Those wishing to travel south on Nixon Road from Aurora Street should head north to the roundabout at Sandalwood Circle, then proceed south. The Sandalwood Circle roundabout remains open during Phase 2 construction.

April 3, 2026

Phase 2 of the Nixon Road Improvement Project has begun! The Contractor began work on the water main, completed installation of temporary lighting and implemented the road closure and detour signage.

For the week of April 6:

  • Continue installing new water main, new storm sewer to installed once water main is completed
  • Continue pavement removals in preparation for utility work
  • Begin milling the roadway

For those walking to the schools, a temporary crosswalk has been installed on Nixon Road at Argonne Drive. Drivers are directed to access Clague Middle School from Bluett Drive. As a reminder, the Nixon Road intersections at Bluett Drive and Traver Boulevard are currently closed.

March 27, 2026

The Nixon Road Improvement Project is gearing up for Phase 2 (Bluett Drive to Traver Boulevard, including the intersections). The Nixon Road closure is expected to begin March 30th, weather permitting.

The Contractor has been in the area preparing for the start of construction by removing the necessary trees and installing temporary light poles.

For the week of March. 30, 2026:

  • Complete temporary lighting
  • Set up road closure and detour signage and initiate Nixon Road closure
  • Pavement removals in preparation for utility work
  • Begin installation of the new water main

We would like to thank the community for their continued cooperation and understanding during the Nixon Road project.


Schedule

  • 3 phases of construction.
  • Phase 1 (beginning May 27) expected to be complete in early Fall 2025.
  • Phase 2 expected to start in Spring 2026 and be completed by early Fall 2026.
  • Phase 3 will immediately follow phase 2 and is expected to be complete by December 2026.
  • Severe weather and other unforeseen events can prolong construction.

Traffic, Parking and Access

  • During all phases, traffic will be detoured by utilizing Plymouth Road and Green Road.
  • Driveway access will be maintained but may include delays during working hours, which will be coordinated with the owners beforehand.
  • Pedestrian access will be maintained. However, at times one sidewalk may be closed, requiring use of a crosswalk. There may be disruptions during sidewalk installations and ADA upgrades.
  • Road closures and detour details available at a2gov.org/roads.

General Information

  • Normal work hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The contractor may request to work outside these hours, including Sundays, to meet deadlines. The city will evaluate requests individually.
  • Construction will generate dust, noise, and other inconveniences. Utility flags, surveyor stakes, and protection fences may be placed along the roadway and should not be disturbed as they are important to the construction process.

Water Service

  • Water service will be maintained during construction, except for brief periods when new water main is tied into existing main.
  • Prior to any planned water service interruption, you will receive an orange door-hanger at least a day in advance.
  • After new water main connections, you may see brown water or debris. This is normal. Run cold water at the nearest faucet to flush the system clean.
  • During the final connections of water main construction, particulate debris and discolored water may be observed. This is harmless and typical in such projects, although it can obstruct faucet aerators and reduce water flow. To mitigate this issue, it is recommended to remove the aerators and run cold water until it runs clear. Once the water is clear, reinstall the aerators.


Why is this project being done?

2017

  • The Nixon Road Corridor Study was completed. Concerns from residents and property owners along the corridor were documented, with key focal points: safety, non-motorized facilities, and user-delays. Three options were studied and analyzed in an effort to address these concerns. Only the roundabout corridor option addressed all of the concerns. This option would add roundabouts at various locations in the corridor, while improving non-motorized facilities, safety, and operations.
  • May 15, 2017 - City Council directed staff to design the corridor improvements.
  • Fall 2017 - Wade Trim was selected to perform the engineering design on the project.

2020

  • The design was completed to a 90% stage, which included improvements on Nixon from Huron Parkway to just south of M-14 (not including the Dhu Varren Road Roundabout). The project was placed on the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to be constructed in 2025.

2024

  • Wade Trim will finalize the design and revise the project limits to be from north of Huron Parkway to just south of Dhu Varren Road. The portion of the project north of Dhu Varren Road will be considered for construction at a future date.
  • Fall 2024 - The City plans to put project out to bid through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Local Agency Program, with construction planned to begin in Spring 2025. The design includes the incorporation of roundabouts at Sandalwood, Bluett and Traver, a new median, a buffered bicycle lane in both directions, lighting and landscape improvements, a new 16-inch water main and stormwater management improvements.

Cost & funding source

This project has received federal funding through the Michigan Department of Transportation Local Agency Program. The remainder of the project cost will be funded through the City of Ann Arbor Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage, Water Fund and Stormwater Fund.

  • During Phase 1 (2025), Nixon Road will be closed and limited to local traffic only from Huron Parkway to Bluett Drive. Residential access will be maintained but may include delays during working hours. Residents who can access their home without entering the construction area will be asked to do so. This portion of Nixon Road will be reopened once construction of Phase 1 is complete.
  • During Phase 2 (2026), Nixon Road will be closed and limited to local traffic only from Bluett Drive to Traver Blvd. Residential access will be maintained but may include delays during working hours. Residents who can access their home without entering the construction area will be asked to do so. This portion of Nixon Road will be reopened once construction of Phase 2 is complete.
  • During Phase 3 (2026), The northbound lanes of Nixon Road will be closed and southbound traffic will be maintained for the duration of Phase 3, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2026.
  • For the latest on TheRide/AAATA bus detours due to construction, please see TheRide’s Rider Alerts page: https://www.theride.org/rider-alerts
  • Water service will be interrupted for short durations during water main installation. Planned disruptions will be limited, and residents will be informed in advance.
  • Utility damage sometimes happens during construction. These are not planned therefore notifications are not possible. The damage will be repaired, and utility service will be restored as soon as possible.
  • General noise and dust from equipment, particularly during site excavation.
  • Mail and delivery services, as well as curbside trash/recycling/compost services will not be affected. If you experience any disruptions, please contact the project team.
  • The project limits are generally within the city right-of-way, which extends from the center of the road to the back of the sidewalk on both sides. The project requires limited impact beyond the right-of-way. Impacted property owners were contacted in 2024. The contractor will be allowed to store materials and equipment in this area (outside of tree canopies). Any disturbed area will be restored with grass seed after the project.
  • An inspector will be on site for the duration of construction. The inspector may be contacted by residents should they experience any issues during construction.

Project Boundaries

​Nixon Corridor improvement project extent

Nixon Corridor improvement project extent