Capitol Avenue resurfacing to continue after steam vault replacement

THURSDAY, Sept. 12 — Capitol Avenue­, one of many roads involved in the ongoing repair of Lansing’s streets, is turning heads. Those accustomed to bouncing along a crackled road as they drive past Lansing Community College are instead treated to milky black asphalt — at least until they reach the Capitol Building. But more relief from bad downtown streets is on the way. 

While the northern stretch of Capitol Avenue — Oakland Avenue through Ottawa Street — has been resurfaced, Public Service Director Andy Kilpatrick said the southern portion — Ottawa Street through St. Joseph Street — is being delayed by a Bureau of Water & Light steam vault replacement that Kilpatrick said is expected to be complete by month’s end.  

Kilpatrick said road resurfacing jobs are timed with the looming sewer separation project, also known as the Combined Sewer Overflow Program. The city hopes the superficial paving will last until it can be completely redone after the sewers work is finished. Kilpatrick said the Combined Sewer Overflow Program will likely be in the works for at least another 10 years before serious groundwork is launched.  

“The road is timed to be at the end of its life in time for the sewer separation project — that’s why we’re not completely redoing it right now,” Kilpatrick said.