Why is this work being done?

• Replace aging water main.

• Upgrade signals at Fourth and Fifth to city mast arm standards with accessible pedestrian signals.

• Street resurfacing due to pavement distress.

• Upgrade sidewalk ramps to meet ADA compliance.

• Make permanent, the quick build bike lane installations.

Work to be done

The project consists of installing a 12-inch water main along Packard Street from S. Main Street to State Street, street resurfacing, sidewalk ramp ADA improvements, mast arm signal upgrades at Fourth Ave and Fifth Ave, permanent pavement markings including bike lanes. Safety improvements will be implemented along the corridor that align with the city’s Vision Zero Transportation Plan for all ages and abilities routes.

Costs and funding sources

Street millage, water system capital improvement, Major Street Fund (for traffic signals only), and MDOT Local Agency Program funding sources.

Aug. 21, 2026

This past week, Phase 2 of the project began. Packard Street closed between Main Street and Division Street, while the section between Division Street and State Street reopened to traffic. The contractor also began removing pavement in preparation for water main installation.

For the week of Aug. 24:

• Begin water main installation between Division Street and Fifth Avenue.

Aug. 14, 2026

This past week, the contractor completed pavement markings and installed permanent signs and delineators in the Phase 1 project area.

For the week of Aug. 17:

• Begin construction in the Phase 2 project area.
• Remove roadway pavement.
• Begin water main installation.

Detour routes and continuing travel impacts:

• When Phase 2 begins, Packard Street will close between South Main Street and Division Street.
• Packard Street between Division Street and State Street will reopen to traffic when Phase 2 begins.

Aug. 7, 2026

This week, the contractor adjusted structure covers to match the new road surface and poured concrete collars for structures.

The following work is planned for the week of August 10^th:

• Continue striping the road.
• Install new permanent signs.
• Install new detour signs for Phase 2 towards the end of the week.

Phase 2 of the project is anticipated to begin on Monday, August 17^th. During this phase of construction, Packard St will be closed between S Main St and Division St. Packard St from Division St to State St will be re-opened to traffic when Phase 2 begins.

July 31, 2026

This past week, the contractor completed paving between Madison Street and Hill Street and began adjusting utility covers to match the new roadway surface.

For the week of Aug. 3:

• Continue asphalt paving between Hill Street and State Street.
• Complete utility cover adjustments throughout the project area.

Detour routes and continuing travel impacts:

• Traffic restrictions and lane shifts will continue throughout the work zone.
• Drivers, bicyclists and people walking should follow posted detours and use caution when traveling through the area.

July 24, 2026

This past week, Packard Street closed again between Division Street and State Street following the Ann Arbor Art Fair so construction could resume. Crews graded driveways and poured new curb and sidewalk.

For the week of July 27:

• Complete paving by placing the final layer of asphalt.

July 17, 2026

This past week, Packard Street temporarily reopened to traffic after paving and installation of temporary pavement markings. All traffic control devices were removed in preparation for the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

For the week of July 20:

• Reinstall traffic control devices between State Street and Hill Street and between Hill Street and Madison Street as construction resumes following the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
• Complete paving by placing the final layer of asphalt.
• Adjust utility covers.
• Install permanent pavement markings.

Detour routes and continuing travel impacts:

• Beginning Monday, Division Street between Madison Street and Hill Street will temporarily operate as two-way traffic.
• Parking will be prohibited on this section of Division Street while the temporary traffic pattern is in place.
• Packard Street will again be closed between State Street and Hill Street and between Hill Street and Madison Street while construction continues.

July 10, 2026

This past week, the contractor continued earthwork and grading to prepare the roadway for paving and poured new sidewalk.

For July 11 and July 13:

• Pave the roadway and install temporary pavement markings.
• Remove temporary traffic control devices and clean the site in preparation for the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Detour routes and continuing travel impacts:

• Construction will pause after Monday for the Ann Arbor Art Fair, and Packard Street will temporarily reopen to traffic.
• Construction will resume the week of July 20. At that time, Packard Street will close between Division Street and Hill Street and between Hill Street and State Street.
• Beginning July 20, Division Street between Madison Street and Hill Street will temporarily operate as two way traffic.
• Parking will be prohibited on this section of Division Street while the temporary traffic pattern is in place.

July 2, 2026

This past week, the contractor continued earthwork and grading to prepare the roadway for paving, connected the new water main to the existing system at State Street, and poured new curb and sidewalk between Hill Street and Madison Street.

For the week of July 6:

• Pour new curb, gutter and sidewalk between Hill Street and State Street.
• Complete preparation of the road subbase for paving.
• Pave the roadway and install temporary pavement markings.
• Remove temporary traffic control devices and clean the site in advance of the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
• Construction will pause for the Art Fair and resume the week of July 20.

June 26, 2026

Work completed this past week:

The new water main between Hill Street and Madison Street was placed into service. Crews also continued installing new curb and gutter and removing the old water main.

Week of June 29:

• Connect the new water main to the existing water main at State Street.
• Allow the new curb and gutter to cure before paving.
• Continue grading the roadway in preparation for paving.

June 12, 2026

This week the contractor connected the new water main to the existing at various locations.

The following is planned for the week of June 15:

• Continue tying the new water main into the existing at connection points.
• Connect water services to the new water main.

Residents who may be impacted by water shutdowns will be notified. As water main connections are made, you may see debris in the form of particulate matter and brown water present in the water supplied to your home. This is not harmful and is expected as part of water main construction. We recommend removing the aerators from your faucets until the water runs clear so that they don’t get clogged with debris and restrict flow.

June 5, 2026

This past week the contractor finished installing the water main in the Packard/Madison/Division intersection and continued water main testing.

For the week of June 8:

Connect the new water main to the existing in various locations between State and Hill Streets.

• Water main testing between Hill Street and the Packard/Madison/Division intersection.
• Please note that water services for homes between State and Hill Streets will be reconnected to the new main during the week of June 15, which may result in temporary water shutdowns. Informational flyers will be handed out to impacted residents before the shutdown.

May 29, 2026

This week the Contractor completed pavement removals and began installing the new water main in the Packard/Madison/Division intersection.

The following is planned for the week of June 1:

• Continue water main installation in the Packard/Madison/Division intersection.
• Continue water main testing between Hill St and Madison St.
• Water main service connections from State to Hill and Hill to Madison.

As a reminder, temporary two-way traffic is only implemented on Division St between Packard St and John St and Packard St and E Jefferson St.

May 22, 2026

This week the contractor finished installing the water main between Hill Street and Madison Street and closed the Packard/Division/Madison intersection to do the road removals.

The following is planned for the week of May 26:

• Pavement removals in the Packard/Division/Madison intersection
• Water main installation in the Packard/Division/Madison intersection
• Water main connections from State to Hill and Hill to Madison

May 15, 2026

This week the contractor continued installing the water main between Hill Street and Madison Street and finished testing the water main between State Street and Hill Street.

The following is planned for the week of May 18:

• Water main testing between Hill Street and Madison Street.
• Tie in new water main to existing water main between State Street and Hill Street.
• Beginning of Phase 1B of construction on May 20, which includes the closure of the Packard/Division/Madison intersection.
• Road and trolley track removals in the Packard/Division/Madison intersection, followed by installation of the new water main.

May 8, 2026

This week the contractor completed the road and trolley track removals between Hill Street and Madison Street and began installing the new water main. Testing of the new water main between State Street and Hill Street has also started.

The following is planned for the week of May 11:

• Continue water main installation from Hill Street to Madison Street.
• Continue water main testing between State Street and Hill Street.
• Beginning of Phase 1B of construction on May 12^th, which includes the closure of the Packard/Division/Madison intersection.
• Road and trolley track removals in the Packard/Division/Madison intersection, followed by installation of the new water main.

May 1, 2026

This week the contractor removed the pavement from the road and began installing the new water main from State Street to Hill Street.

The following is planned for the week of May 4:

• Water main installation from Hill Street to Madison Street.
• Testing of the new water main between State Street and Hill Street.

April 24, 2026

• This week construction began on the project! The contractor milled the road and began curb and sidewalk removal. Remnants of the old trolley track system that used to run through Ann Arbor were uncovered during construction. These tracks were laid in 1890, and the streetcar system was used until the mid-late 1920s, after which time the tracks were removed and the foundation was eventually covered up.
• Next week curb and sidewalk removal will continue, and installation of the new water main will begin.
• Please note that businesses remain open during construction and can still be accessed.

April 17, 2026

• Construction is set to start on Monday, April 20 This will begin Phase 1A of construction, where Packard Street will be closed between Division Street and State Street. Next week the contractor will begin installing the water main, with re-paving to follow when installation is complete.
• Due to other projects in the area, the northbound detour has temporarily changed. Traffic will now be directed north on State Street, then west on E William Street, north on Division Street, west on E Liberty Street, south on N Ashley Street, east on W William Street, then south onto S Main Street. This detour will be in place for at least one week, then the original Phase 1A detour will come into effect, with northbound traffic going north on State Street then west on E William Street.

April 9, 2026

• During Phase 1A (April 20 to Mid-July), Packard Street will be closed from Division Street to State Street. Northbound traffic will be detoured to State Street then west to William Street, and southbound traffic will be detoured to Fifth Ave then east to Hill Street.
• During Phase 1B (Late May to Mid-July), Packard Street will remain closed from Division Street to State Street, with the Packard/Division intersection being closed as well. The same detours will remain in effect.
• During Phase 2 (Mid-July to Fall), Packard Street will be closed between Main Street and Division Street. Northbound traffic will be detoured to Division Street then west to E William Street, and southbound traffic will be detoured to Main Street then east on Hill Street.
• Temporary two-way traffic for businesses and residents will be implemented on some existing one-way streets. During Phase 1, this includes East Madison Street between Fifth Avenue and Division Street, on Division Street between Packard Street and East Jefferson Street, on Cross Street between Packard Street and South Division Street, and on Mary Street between Packard Street and Benjamin Street. During Phase 2, this includes Fifth Avenue between Packard Street and East Jefferson Street.

• Driveway access will be maintained but may include delays during work hours, which will be coordinated with the residents beforehand.
• 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 happen during construction. These are not planned therefore notifications are not possible. In the event of damage to a utility, 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 requires limited impact beyond the right-of-way, which generally extends from the center of the road to the back of the sidewalk. The contractor will be allowed to store materials and equipment in this area. Any disturbed areas will be restored with grass and 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.

City staff and the project team will hold an engagement session with residents and stakeholder during the design phase in the summer 2025.

Property owners and stakeholders will be provided with updates throughout the project.

During construction, traffic route and impact information will be provided via the website and public notices. Water service interruptions will be provided via public notices and door hangers on impacted properties.

On June 12, 2025 a virtual information session was held

• Meeting Presentation (PDF)
• Meeting Video (Youtube)