ROSEVILLE (WWJ) – Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller says the county has an emergency on its hands as severe erosion near I-94 in Roseville is “getting perilously closer to the freeway.”
Public Works officials say the continuing erosion of steep banks in the Rohrbeck Drain near 13 Mile Road and Little Mack is the worst they’ve seen in any drain across the county.
Miller says it’s become an emergency despite drought-like conditions across the area most of this summer. The banks have eroded about six feet in some spots in just the last few months alone, according to Miller.
“We’re concerned that very heavy rains could accelerate that erosion,” she said.
Officials are most concerned with two specific locations:
• The bank located just east of Little Mack, approximately a quarter mile north of 13 Mile Road, and only about 20 yards from the right shoulder of westbound I-94.
• The bank located south of 13 Mile Road, west of Little Mack, approximately 25 yards from the right shoulder of westbound I-94.
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It’s difficult to predict when continued erosion would reach the right shoulder of I-94 or potentially result in a collapse of the shoulder -- or actual lanes -- if the erosion is not addressed.
That’s why Miller says her office has contacted a contractor on an emergency basis to stabilize the eroding banks.
“That stabilization will involve the use of dirt excavated from the opposite side of the channel, reshaping drain slopes and armoring the east banks by placing hundreds of boulders that will absorb the energy from strong water flow to prevent new erosion. Work may begin as soon as this week,” her office said.
Compared to hundreds of other open drains in the county, erosion can occur more easily in parts of the Rohrbeck Drain because the initial construction of the freeway involved excavation of what had been undisturbed land, and sand that was used to build the embankment of the freeway erodes more quickly in steep areas once it begins.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments says WB I-94 in that area has an average of more than 43,000 cars pass through per day.
Speaking live on WWJ Monday morning, Miller said those drivers don’t have to worry about I-94 collapsing.
“However, if we didn’t do this, it could happen, actually,” Miller said. “Particularly with these heavy rains that are coming.”
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