Brighton Awarded for 2012 Streetscape Improvements Project

The City of Brighton received an Award of Excellence for its 2012 Streetcape Improvement projects from the Michigan Concrete Association (MCA).

The streetscape project included West, Main and North Streets, and was completed by GM & Sons, Inc. and Livingston Concrete.  

The decorative concrete project was conceived by the City of Brighton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) as a way to ensure that visitors have a safe and pleasant experience in the downtown Brighton area.

GM & Sons, along with the electrical and excavating contractors, removed the existing pavement, installed pedestrian-operated crosswalk lights, and placed stamped and colored concrete pavement, picture framed sidewalks, and brick paver bands throughout the project.

The pedestrian crosswalk lights are embedded into the plain gray concrete bands that outline the crosswalks. The unique lighting system makes drivers more aware of pedestrians who have the right of way.

All of the work was performed under multiple closures to maintain traffic on Main Street.

"The Brighton City Council and DDA were far ahead of the curve with the use of lighted crosswalks," DDA Director Matt Modrack said in a press release. “We have visitors from many cities every year who want to know how it was done."

Each year, MCA recognizes the best concrete projects and presents awards to contractors, engineers and agencies for their work. More than 50 road, highway, airport and commercial construction projects were submitted to the 2012 concrete awards program and 21 of those received recognition.

Nominated projects were judged based on quality, safety, public relations, complexity, innovation and aesthetics.