By Maggie LaNoue – Contributing Writer – August 21, 2026
Barricades, detour signs and heavy equipment have become familiar sights on Albion’s northwestern side this summer, near the western entrance to the city from I-94 Exit 121 and the I-94 Business Loop. But much of the work causing the disruption is happening underground.
At the intersection of North Eaton Street and Austin Avenue, existing water mains are among the infrastructure being replaced.
“The work at the intersection of N. Eaton and Austin will remove and replace existing 4-inch water mains in that intersection with new 8-inch water mains,” Wightman engineer Brian Holleman wrote in an email to The Recorder. “Water main replacement has been completed both north and south of the intersection on N. Eaton Street, and this work will connect to those new mains.”
Doubling a pipe’s diameter from 4 inches to 8 inches gives it four times the cross-sectional area. That does not necessarily mean four times as much water will flow through it; actual flow depends on pressure and other conditions throughout the water system.
Work is also progressing along Austin Avenue.
“The water main in Austin will be replaced from Arthur Street to N. Superior Street and will connect to the N. Eaton water mains near the center of the intersection,” Holleman said.
The existing concrete base and asphalt surface courses in the water-main trenches will also be replaced, he said.
The city’s Aug. 17 construction update reported that pavement removal on Austin Avenue had reached Clinton Street, with the contractor preparing to begin water-main installation at Arthur Street and work eastward.
The work is affecting how drivers enter, leave and cross this part of Albion. Some motorists could be seen Monday attempting to navigate around portions of the construction area. Others reached barricaded sections, stopped and turned around.
The city’s official detour uses Albion Street, Erie Street and Superior Street to carry traffic around the Austin Avenue closure. Drivers can follow the route from either direction depending on their starting point and destination.
Albion Street was completed in time to become part of that detour. Public Services Director Jason Kern told council Aug. 3 that paving was scheduled before the Austin Avenue closure specifically so Albion Street could carry traffic into downtown. The city’s latest construction update says pavement markings and permanent signs there are now complete. Remaining drainage structure adjustments will wait until the Austin Avenue work is completed.
North Eaton Street also remains affected. The city’s detour notice said sections of North Eaton Street north and south of Austin would remain closed during the water-main and road-reconstruction project.
The work is part of a much larger construction season. Projects are also underway around Bemer, Magnotta, Dean and Hoaglin streets. Work is scheduled to begin Aug. 24 on West Cass Street between Albion and Ann streets, including replacement of the sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer, followed by full road reconstruction.
For motorists, the visible result for now is a maze of construction equipment, closed streets and detours. Underneath those streets, however, portions of Albion’s water and utility infrastructure are being rebuilt before the roads are put back together.
