STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WWJ) — Construction has begun on a nearly $1 million green infrastructure project designed to filter stormwater, reduce pollution and extend a recreational trail in Sterling Heights.
The project focuses on redesigning and retrofitting the Sterling Relief Drain corridor south of Metropolitan Parkway, from west of Ryan Road to Mound Road.
It will create 42 acres of restored habitat, adding 1.2 miles of native vegetation to slow and filter stormwater runoff from the city's urban drainage area.
The environmental upgrades include planting more than 2,500 trees and shrubs, 8,000 native perennial pollinator plugs and over 200 pounds of native and pollinator seeds.
Once established, the ground and vegetation will stabilize erosion-prone areas and are expected to capture and filter approximately 28 million gallons of stormwater runoff annually. By acting as a sponge, the restored habitat will keep sediment and harmful nutrients out of the Red Run Drain, the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair.
"We’ve been trying to improve the drain because we’re focused on water quality and stormwater management, but also we are focused on how we can position ourselves so that we can use green infrastructure to improve our environment," Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller said in a statement.
Macomb County Public Works
To further improve water quality, crews have reconstructed manholes and added grates to capture trash and prevent debris from moving downstream.
Alongside the environmental improvements, the project features a new 3,000-foot shared-use pedestrian path. The trail will extend from the north end of James C. Nelson Park to the sidewalk at Ryan Road, north of 15 Mile Road.
"This project is a win for Sterling Heights on every level because we are improving green infrastructure along the Sterling Relief Drain, extending the trail connection from Nelson Park to Ryan Road and creating a safer, accessible space for residents to walk, bike and enjoy the outdoors — all at the same time," Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor said in a statement. "This project is another example of how we continue to move closer to our long-term vision of a more connected, sustainable community."
Macomb County Public Works
The total cost of the grant-funded project is $953,000 and will not result in an increase in sewer rates. In April, the Sterling Heights City Council voted to allocate $404,000 to fund the new path.
The remaining costs are covered through a partnership involving the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Macomb County Public Works Office, the Sterling Relief Drain drainage board, and grants from DTE and Consumers Energy.
The current work marks the second phase of improvements to the drain. It builds upon 53 acres of habitat completed in 2020 from just east of Van Dyke Avenue to east of Schoenherr Road.
That initial phase featured a 2-mile-long butterfly flyway and won awards from the American Public Works Association and the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners.
Phase II is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, weather permitting.
