14 Mile 42-inch Water Main Project

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), in collaboration with its member partner communities of Commerce Township, Walled Lake, Wixom and Novi, has developed an action plan to continue building resiliency in the regional system after a 42-inch water transmission main broke on 14 Mile Road, west of M5, at the end of September. This plan was developed based on extensive data garnered from the recent inspection of nearly four miles of this transmission main.

The action plan, which involves both water main replacement and renewal, will occur in three phases over the next seven months, spanning mid-January 2026 through late April, with road restoration expected to be completed by the end of June.  

GLWA estimates that it will be investing $12.8 million in this critical infrastructure resiliency work. Within the last year, GLWA also completed a more than $110 million redundancy loop project in the water transmission system which allowed restoration of water service much more quickly than in previous breaks. 

Project Updates 3/16/26

Our team has made great progress in the field on the 14 Mile 42-inch project. Updates include:

• • Main-line Pipe Replacement Crew has returned to the 42” project site following completion of the repairs at the 48” main break site.
  • Approximately 175 pipe segments have been installed = ~4,350 ft of pipe. Pipe work is complete from Novi Rd to Kingswood Blvd.
  • Second open-cut pipe replacement crew continuing work west of Novi Rd/Decker Rd, working around multitude of existing underground utilities to install pipe segments between the CFRP locations.
  • Concrete pavement has been poured within the intersection of 14 Mile Rd and Novi Rd/Decker Rd. The concrete will need time to cure and develop the required strength for traffic. We are currently anticipating the intersection to be re-opened mid-week of March 23^rd, weather pending
  • All six (6) CFRP locations have been completed and final inspections have passed
  • The Acoustic Fiber Optic (AFO) monitoring system has been commissioned and is ready to begin monitoring the circa 2001 pipeline to Wixom. The AFO system will be utilized when the pipeline is being pressurized to return to service.
  • Current traffic closures:
    • EB 14 Mile Rd between Walled Lake and M-5 remains closed
    • Novi Rd/14 Mile Rd intersection remains closed until the concrete pavement has fully cured. It is anticipated to be re-opened mid-week of March 23^rd, weather pending