Wild Weather Won't Delay 12 Mile, Coolidge Project

The in Berkley is still on track for completion by Aug. 6, despite last week's heat wave and storms.

While the wild weather did slow things down a bit, it did not cause any cost overruns or major delays, Director Derrick Schueller said.

"We're plugging along, no issues yet," he said. "Keep your fingers crossed."

Extreme heat can prevent poured concrete from setting up properly, but the project had not gotten that far last week, as temperatures hovered near 100 degrees, Schueller said.

Weather has been an issue with work at the intersection in the past. City Engineer Tom Biehl has noted allegations that the crumbling, controversial clay pavers that are being replaced didn't meet spec and .

Fortunately, Schueller said this week's milder weather – mostly sunny with highs in the mid-80s according to the National Weather Service – will not pose any problem as concrete pouring gets under way at the intersection.

Likewise, the torrential downpours Berkley received last week did not have a negative impact on the project. In fact, Schueller said, the intersection's sand base needed to be watered down to get better compaction.

The existing brick corner is being replaced with 10-inch nonreinforced concrete. The intersection is closed during construction, but all .

"At this point, we're on schedule and we're going to do our best to finish early," Schueller said.

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For more information on the construction, including the official timeline, project contacts and other details, read .