Benton Township is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation to replace some old water and sewer lines while MDOT rebuilds M-139.

Township trustees this past week approved a contract with engineering firm Prein and Newhof for work near the Plaza Drive lift station next year. They’re planning to replace that infrastructure while MDOT has the road torn up in the area. Prein and Newhof’s Steve Oosting tells us completing the project in conjunction with MDOT will save big money.

“That keeps the township from having to incur the cost of doing the pavement work, and it keeps the public from having to incur the disruption of construction at two separate times,” Oosting said.

The engineering contract comes at a cost of $219,000.

Trustees also approved a contract with Prein and Newhof to serve as the township’s representative while MDOT relocates some water and sewer lines on Fair Avenue between Schultze Drive and Warwick Terrace this year. Oosting says all of this infrastructure is near the end of its useful life.

“Old aging sewers, we’ve got structurally deficient clay pipe sewers that need repair. So we’ve got a township-wide plan of making these upgrades over time. And when the opportunity comes along to take advantage of an MDOT project, then the township is choosing to prioritize those.”

The contract with Prein and Newhof for the Fair Avenue work comes in at $49,000. Oosting said the firm will be on site looking out for the township’s interests and documenting work while MDOT completes the actual water and sewer relocation.