Garden City Residents’ Discontent Over Tardy Merriman Road Construction

Garden City Residents’ Discontent Over Tardy Merriman Road Construction

Residents and local business owners of Garden City and Westland are at their breaking point over the prolonged construction on Merriman Road. The road has been blocked off for nearly two years, and the mounting frustration from the community is palpable.

The road’s closure since January 2023 has directly impacted local businesses, noticeably decreasing the foot-traffic. Jeff Kassab, the manager of HandyMart, a local convenience store, voiced his dwindling patience, “Let’s get it done”, he expressed succinctly.

“Thank God for my regular customers, I love you Garden City and Westland. But you know new faces, we don’t see anymore”, lamented Kassab, underlining the disadvantage that the construction has inflicted upon his business. As a result, Kassab has had to make difficult decisions to keep his business afloat, which included letting go of employees and stretching his own working hours.

The main objective of the Merriman Road construction project is to replace two bridges, one over the Rouge River and the other over Hines Drive. The project was initially planned to be concluded by fall 2023, but that schedule got derailed.

Another Garden City resident, Nan Frye, described the construction as “a pain in the rear”. For her, the project has not only been a botheration but has also weighed on her pocket due to the increased travel distance around the obstruction.

When enquired with the local authorities about the reasons for the delay, they cited “difficulties arose due to a nearby sanitary line running parallel to Merriman Road. Construction around buried concrete debris from an old, abandoned wastewater treatment system posed a concern. This debris could potentially cause an existing sanitary sewer to shift, affecting the structural integrity of the sewer and resulting in further construction delays.”

While the reasons for the delay seem reasonable, it’s little consolation for the local vendors and residents who are bearing the brunt of these hold-ups.

The updated project completion date is end of 2024, weather permitting. Meanwhile, the community continues eagerly waiting for the completion of the project and a return to their regular lives.