Why is this project being done?

The Zina Pitcher Place, Catherine Street, and East Ann Street project is being undertaken because this area was identified in the City’s Annual Resurfacing Program as needing road repaving. Since the streets were already scheduled for resurfacing, the City is taking this opportunity to incorporate additional transportation improvements to better align the corridor with our Moving Together Towards Vision Zero goals and to enhance mobility and safety for all users.

These improvements support the City’s commitment to:

• Focus transportation investments on corridors and intersections with the highest incidence of serious crashes.
• Install at least three quick-build safety projects per year, with priority given to identified focus areas.
• Expand a safe and comfortable network of bike routes that serve people of all ages and abilities.

What work will be done as apart of this project?

• Resurfacing of Zina Pitcher Place (Huron Street to Catherine Street), Catherine Street (Glen Street to Zina Pitcher Place), and East Ann Street (Zina Pitcher Place to Observatory Street) corridors.
• Enhancements of pedestrian and bicycle safety.

What outcomes will result from the Project?

• ‘Ride quality’ will improve for drivers and bicycle users.
• Drainage will be improved along the corridors, with special attention given to the Observatory roundabout.
• Sidewalk ramps will be upgraded to meet ADA standards.
• A two-way cycle track will be provided on Catherine Street to separate cyclists from motorized traffic.
• Traffic signal infrastructure will be upgraded at the Zina Pitcher and Ann intersection.

Project funding sources

The project is funded by the City of Ann Arbor Storm Water Fund, and the City of Ann Arbor Act 51 Major Streets Fund

May 22, 2026, Update

This week, the Contractor poured new curb at the intersection of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St., paved Zina Pitcher from E. Ann St to Catherine St, and paved the intersection of Zina Pitcher and E. Ann St.

For the week of May 25th:

• Adjust utility structure covers within the new pavement.
• Install traffic control devices at Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St intersection.
• Reopen Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St intersection by Friday, May 29, 2026.
• No work will take place on Monday, May 25, due to Memorial Day.

Detour route and other travel impacts:

• Beginning at 8pm on Friday, May 29, the Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St intersection will be open to the flow of two-way traffic.
• Zina Pitcher Place from Ann Street to Catherine will be open with one northbound lane and Catherine Street from Glen Avenue to Zina Pitcher will be converted back to one way traffic moving westbound.
• Vehicles traveling north on Washtenaw Avenue, intending to go north on Zina Pitcher will be detoured west on Huron Street, then north on Glen Avenue, then east on Ann Street to the Zina Pitcher intersection.
• Vehicles traveling east on Huron Street, intending to go north on Zina Pitcher, will be detoured north on Glen Street, then east on Ann Street to Zina Pitcher.
• DTE Gas sidewalk work has been completed, and the sidewalk has been reopened. The DTE contractor, Miller Pipeline, will be performing final connections of their new gas main at Ann and Observatory starting June 1, 2026, with an intended 2–3-day duration. Final restoration for the DTE work is planned to be completed 1-2 weeks after connections are completed. Temporary hard surfaces will be in place in the roadway and sidewalks until permanent restoration is completed.

May 15, 2026 Update

This week, the Contractor installed new storm sewer structures in the intersection of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St.

For the week of May 18th:

• Finish placing traffic signal conduit in the intersection of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St
• Pour new curb in the intersection of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St
• Prepare the intersection of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St for asphalt paving

Detour route and other travel impacts:

• Due to utility conflicts during the storm sewer structure installation, the intersection of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St is projected to be closed through Friday, May 29.
• Vehicular detour routes for the intersection of Ann and Zina Pitcher will continue to use Observatory Street, Geddes Road, Washtenaw Avenue, Huron Street, Glen Avenue and Catherine Street. Catherine Street between Glen and Zina Pitcher has been temporarily converted to two-way traffic during Phase 1A work. Pedestrians will be directed to follow detours posted in the field.
• DTE Gas sidewalk work was delayed. They plan to finalize restoration of sections of sidewalk on the east side of Zina Pitcher between Ann Street and Catherine Street. The work is projected to last until Monday, May 18. While the sidewalk is closed, pedestrians will be detoured to the west side of Zina Pitcher. Temporary pedestrian ramps will be provided at the Ann and Zina Pitcher intersection to route pedestrians around the active construction zone.

May 8, 2026 Update

This week, the Contractor closed the Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St intersection and proceeded to remove pavement and begin storm sewer repairs in the intersection.

For the week of May 11th:

• Install new storm sewer structures in the intersection of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St
• Begin installation of new traffic signal conduit in the intersection of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St

Detour route and other travel impacts:

• DTE Gas plans to restore sections of sidewalk on the east side of Zina Pitcher between Ann Street and Catherine Street starting Friday, May 8. The work is projected to last until Monday, May 11. While the sidewalk is closed, pedestrians will be detoured to the west side of Zina Pitcher. Temporary pedestrian ramps will be provided at the Ann and Zina Pitcher intersection to route pedestrians around the active construction zone.

May 1, 2026 Update

This week, the Contractor prepared traffic control elements for the road closure on Monday, May 4.

For the week of May 4th:

• Implement maintenance of traffic, close Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St intersection, close Zina Pitcher from Huron to Catherine
• Mill existing pavement of Zina Pitcher/E. Ann St intersection
• Remove existing intersection storm sewer

Detour route and other travel impacts:

• Eastbound vehicles traveling on Ann Street, west of the Zina Pitcher intersection, will be detoured south on Glen Avenue, then east on Huron Street, then south on Washtenaw Avenue, then east on Geddes Avenue, then north on Observatory Street to Ann Street.
• Westbound vehicles traveling on Ann Street, east of the Zina Pitcher intersection, will be detoured south on Observatory Street, then west on Geddes Avenue, then north on Washtenaw Avenue, then west on Huron Street, then north on Glen Avenue to Ann Street.
• Catherine Street will be temporarily reconfigured to support two-way traffic. Drivers are instructed to use the Glen Avenue intersection to gain access to Catherine Street east of Glen Avenue.
• Sidewalk closures will occur to provide space for work and to protect the safety of the public. Posted detours will be provided when a sidewalk closure occurs.
• Emergency vehicles are advised to follow the posted detours.

Vehicular traffic delays will occur due to lane closures and detour routes. For more information, please visit:

• Road and Lane Closures
  • Sign up for upcoming road and lane closure alerts

• Road Closures Map (April - November anticipated schedule)

• U-M Traffic Advisories

For information on bus route detours, please visit:

• TheRide Bus Route Detours - Rider Alerts
  • Starting May 3, the Blake Transit Center will be temporarily closed. All bus stops will be moved to 5th Ave. and Washington St.
• U-M Bus Routes and Schedules

On-street bicycle travel will be required to follow posted detours.

Pedestrian travel will be maintained through the work zone.

Coordination with nearby capital projects

• Catherine Street Cycletrack Extension
• Ingalls Kingsley Water Main Project

Data Resources

• Road Safety Audit Final Report - an independent safety evaluation that makes safety focused recommendations. This report is being utilized to make design decisions.
• Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, Bikeway Counters - an interactive dashboard showcasing detailed insights into downtown bikeway usage.
• High Injury Network Map -a map highlighting corridors and intersections with the most serious crashes.
• Ann Arbor DDA Development Plan - a required plan to establish the DDA's boundary and identify the future activities and projects the DDA will undertake to benefit the downtown area and the broader community. 
• Downtown Area Circulation Study - a collaborative study between the Ann Arbor DDA and the City of Ann Arbor that informs priorities for future capital improvements to the downtown and near downtown streets.

Public Engagement

• Learn more about this project by watching the informational video below. Still have questions about the project after the video? Use the "Community Questions and Answers" tool in the sidebar to leave a question for the project staff. This activity will be open from Dec. 11, 2025 - Jan. 9, 2026