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.
Traffic Update 3/27/26
- “Long-term” traffic control measures in-place. EB traffic is closed on 14 Mile Rd between Walled Lake and M-5 for the duration of the construction until we are able to restore the road for traffic.
- Traffic is being detoured to use either W Maple Rd or 13 Mile Rd
- Intersection of 14 Mile and Novi Rd/Decker Rod was reopened on Thursday 3/26 for NB and SB traffic
- Daytime closures of WB 14 Mile Rd between M-5 and Welch. Haverhill residents with special temporary traffic control to have access in/out from Welch.
Project Updates 3/30/26
Our team has made great progress in the field on the 14 Mile 42-inch project. Updates include:
- Approximately 205 pipe segments have been installed = ~4,975 ft of pipe. Today is their 46th day of main-line pipe installation.
- Main line pipe crew has reached the 42” valve near the east end of the project; chipping concrete encasement to connect new steel pipe to existing piping outside the valve vault
- Second open-cut pipe replacement crew is working at the 36” valve near the west end of the project; also chipping concrete encasement to tie-in new piping to existing piping
- Line stop is being prepared and will be ready for the stop to be deployed on Monday
GLWA Continues Improvements Along 14 Mile Road; Implements Additional Traffic Control Restriction to Ensure Worker Safety
14 Mile 42-inch Project Map and Timeline
42-inch Main Project FAQs
Learn about the happenings of the 42-inch main project on 14 Mile Road.
42-inch Main Break Updates
Download all the updates regarding the 42-inch main break on 14 Mile Road
