Highway M-115 is a key highway in northwest Michigan, stretching nearly 100 miles from Frankfort to Clare. In the summer of 2016, Team Elmer’s oversaw reconstruction on a 6.46-mile stretch of M-115 within Benzie County. The project involved asphalt crushing, shaping, and reconstruction of the road, drainage, and traffic signal work for the entire six-and-a-half-mile span.

The core challenges of the job were twofold. First, the M-115 project was diverse, it demanded a little bit of everything from Team Elmer’s—including site clearing, pipework, dirt work, crushing and shaping, culverts, and reconstruction. The team put down 50,000 tons of asphalt and laid about three miles of concrete curbing. In some spots, after removing the asphalt, getting to the concrete underneath involved digging a foot down below the asphalt grade. To handle that part of the project, Team Elmer’s had to remove about 40,000 yards worth of unsuitable material and replace it with 30,000 yards of fresh sand.

Second, M-115 is a very busy highway, and the stretch where our teams were working was no exception. We had to ensure that the reconstructed areas were passable every evening for two lanes of traffic. This fact created some logistical forethought for Team Elmer’s. The project required meticulous planning, with daily deadlines. The close planning and team coordination made it possible for us to complete the project milestones while maintaining traffic flow.

By the Numbers

• 4.49 acres of clearing
• 1,780 feet of culvert
• 18,000 cubic yards of CIP embankment
• 42,600 cubic yards of earth excavation
• 2,006 feet of sewer
• 60,000 square yards of 6-inch aggregate base
• 50,921 tons of hot mix asphalt
• 14,407 feet of concrete curb and gutter

DATE STARTED: May 2016
DATE COMPLETED: September 2016
SELF-PERFORMED: 85%
PARTNERS: Bella Concrete, Dale Dukes & Sons, J. Ranck Electric, C&D Hughes, Wadel Stabilization, PK Contracting, Give ‘Em  A Brake Safety.