Water main installation project on Helmer, Beckley roads begins today

Battle Creek Enquirer

BATTLE CREEK — Sections of Helmer Road and Beckley Road will be closed to through traffic for the foreseeable future as city contractors work to provide new water main connections in the area.

Contractors began installing new water main along sections of Helmer and Beckley roads Monday. Specific sections of road affected by the project include:

Helmer Road South, from the intersection of Helmer and the westbound I-94 entrance ramp to Beckley Road
Beckley Road, from the intersection of Beckley and Helmer Road South to the intersection of Beckley and Minges Road South

These sections of Helmer Road and Beckley Road will be closed to through traffic during water main installation, city officials said in a release. Residents will still be able to travel to and from their homes in this area throughout the project.

Crews expect work will be completed by the end of November, weather permitting. Work hours will generally be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the project.

Crews began installing new water main along sections of Helmer and Beckley roads on Monday. Work is expected to be complete by the end of November, weather permitting.

The water main installation work will occur in two phases. The first phase will begin at the intersection of Helmer Road South and the westbound I-94 entrance ramp, then head south down Helmer toward its intersection with Beckley Road, city officials said. The section of Helmer Road will be closed during this phase.

The second phase will progress east down Beckley toward its intersection with Minges Road South. The section of Beckley Road will be closed during this phase.

Due to the necessary closure of through traffic in these areas, multiple detours will be in place.

During the first phase along Helmer Road South:

Northbound Helmer Road South traffic:Turn right on Beckley Road, turn left on Riverside Drive, turn left on Columbia Avenue, and then turn right to resume northbound on Helmer Road
Southbound Helmer Road South traffic: Turn left on Columbia Avenue, turn right on Riverside Drive, turn right on Beckley Road, and then turn left to resume southbound on Helmer Road

During the second phase along Beckley Road:

Eastbound Beckley Road traffic:Turn left on Helmer Road South, turn right on Columbia Avenue, turn right on Riverside Drive, and then turn left to resume eastbound on Beckley Road
Westbound Beckley Road traffic: Turn right on Riverside Drive, turn left on Columbia Avenue, turn left on Helmer Road South, and then turn right to resume westbound on Beckley Road

Work was originally planned for 2022 but was delayed until this year due to a water main material shortage.

Work includes removing the existing asphalt; installing new water main, fire hydrants, and water services to the right of way; and then repaving with new asphalt.

There are currently no water main connections to the city’s water system in this area.Neighbors in the area wishing to connect their home to the city’s water system should contact the city’s Engineering Division at (269) 966-3343.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com