Garden City Residents Upset Due to Merriman Road Construction Delays
It has been almost two years since Merriman Road on the border of Westland and Garden City was closed due to construction, leaving the residents and quarters frustrated with the prolonged project completion.
Jeff Kassab, who manages a local convenience store on Merriman Road, has seen a significant decrease in traffic and customers since the construction kicked off in January 2023. Kassab noted, “Thank God for my regular customers, Garden City and Westland but new faces we don’t see anymore.” While dealing with the dwindling sales, Mr. Kassab had to lay off some employees while also putting in extra hours himself at the store.
The Merriman construction project includes two bridge replacements – one over the Rouge River and the other over Hines Drive. Initially set to finish by fall of 2023, the completion has been constantly delayed.
One local resident, Nan Frye, has felt the impact of the delays. She mentioned how the construction has become a burden on her wallet since she now has to spend more on gas to get around the construction by taking Middlebelt Road. Frye and Kassab are keen to know what’s causing the delay and when the construction will ultimately be completed.
According to Wayne County officials, the delays have been caused due to difficulties surrounding a nearby sanitary line running parallel to Merriman Road. The existence of concrete debris from an old wastewater treatment system could potentially compromise the structural integrity of the existing sewer. Provided the weather permits, the construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
While the construction continues to be a bother for residents and businesses, the results of the officials’ efforts and their impact on the community will be closely monitored.
