Providing improved water quality for Jackson residents will shut down a busy street for three months. S. West Avenue between Carlton Boulevard and W. Michigan Avenue is closing to traffic on Monday, April 18 for a water main and lead service line replacement project.
This three block stretch of S. West Avenue is a major street through the southwest side of Jackson, connecting several residential neighborhoods to Downtown Jackson and the N. West Avenue commercial corridor. The City of Jackson is in the process of replacing antiquated and undersized water mains. The 96-year-old water main under this section of S. West is undersized, made of cast iron, and not up to current water main standards. Replacing the water main will improve water pressure and quality for residents.
This is construction project will also replace 46 lead service lines. These replacements are ramping up in 2022, with the City of Jackson continuing a $120 million plan to replace more than 11,000 lead lines over the next 30 years. Repairs will be made to the street surface, sidewalks and curbs following the water installations.
S. West Avenue will be closed to through traffic during the construction period, which is expected to wrap up in late July. The street will remain open for residents to reach their homes and for patrons to reach businesses. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes around the construction. A detour will take drivers to S. Wisner Street from W. Michigan Avenue and W. Morrell Street.
Residents wanting to learn more about lead service line replacements are encouraged to visit the Lining Up Jackson section of the City website, cityofjackson.org.
