11 Mile Construction Moves to South Side

After four months of construction on the north side, barricades and orange barrels were moved to the south side of 11 Mile Road on Thursday.

The $1.9 million makeover — which is still on budget according to Royal Oak City Engineer Matt Callahan — adds new ornamental streetlights, wider sidewalks, and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps from Troy Street to Campbell Road.


"The work on the south side should go twice as fast because all the utilities are on the north side," Callahan said. Water mains have already replaced where needed.

"I wish them well on completing it," said Terry Schaefer, who owns an auto repair shop at 723 E.11 Mile Rd. 

Schaefer has had to absorb life surrounded by construction and exude patience as ongoing challenges have delayed completion of the sidewalk in front of his business.

"It's been an arduous process and it's been going on for months and it not yet completed," he said.

The construction has hurt business at the Royal Motor Inn, 825 E. 11 Mile Road, according to owner Amrat Patel. 

"My busy season is April to October. Business is down," Patel said. "But there is no doubt about it that it looks nice."

When complete, the makeover will widen 11 Mile Road by 3-feet in most places. The lanes will remain the same size, but new 18-inch concrete curbs and gutters will be added to each side of the road.

The project should be complete in about two months, according to Callahan.