On Tuesday, the trustees approved $58,483 for the next step in the process to develop concepts and analyze traffic models for these two proposed alternatives that will be done by CH2M Hill Inc., Wilson said.
“The township is paying for the study of both alternatives that have been proposed,” she said. “It’s not often we do a project like this.”
She said the trustees previously authorized to perform preliminary work required for completing an Interchange Operations Study at I-75 and Union Centre Boulevard. That work was approved in December 2015 at a cost of $41,560 and was done by CH2M Hill Inc, Wilson said.
The work is being coordinated through BCEO, said County Engineer Greg Wilkens.
At a meeting between the trustees and BCEO in September, Wilkens told the trustees the divergent diamond design showed to be far superior than the original modified diamond design. He said that is what they are currently looking at and the cost considerations.
“We have not made a full conclusions on either one and we’re waiting for cost estimates right now,” Wilkens said in September. “Our gut feeling is that the partial cloverleaf is going to be more expensive.”
He said they are looking at getting some more surveys completed to look at the design to make sure state clearances are made and are working on micro-analysis of each intersection to make sure they work.
On Friday, Wilkens said, “from a costing and operations standpoint, we needed to do additional analysis so we can make the right decision.”
He said the estimated project cost could range from $10 million and $11 million depending on which option is chosen, adding the estimate “is on the low end of the spectrum.”
Wilkens said the analysis should be completed by early spring. Officials said construction is still projected to start in 2018.
He said the average daily traffic between Muhlhauser Road and the interchange is about 50,000 vehicles. Once the project is completed, it will open up the entire northeast quadrant of the interchange for development.
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