HFC Outfall project closes part of perimeter road for Winter 2025

Southwest corner of campus map

Quick summary of this webpage

Due to major stormwater erosion caused by the failure of a large drain pipe (called the Outfall), the College has to excavate a section of roadway adjacent to the Rouge River on the West side of campus. This includes replacing the broken drain pipe, and then rebuilding a section of the embankment, the roadway, and the trail.

This means part of the road leading around campus will be closed from January 2025 through April 2025. You can still walk the Gateway Trail, including the woodland portion of the trail, by following the pedestrian detour. The full-size map below shows the excavation area (dotted line), road closure (red section) and pedestrian trail detour (orange).

Background to the problem, and how we will fix it

Stormwater management and drainage (briefly)

HFC Facilities is responsible for the College’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit and stormwater management on our campus. Rainwater is collected in catch basins throughout our main campus, where the water is directed toward an underground filtration system in the southwest corner of the campus. After contaminants are removed, the filtered water is collected at a detention pond, which controls the flow of stormwater through a 52" concrete outfall (drain pipe) into the Rouge River. The outfall is located approximately 100 yards south of Kingfisher Bluff.

Finding the problem

During a routine inspection of the outfall area in 2024, Facilities observed early, minor signs of site deterioration, including separation of pavement and a noticeably leaning section of the safety fence along the Rouge River Gateway trail that leads to the woodland section of the Gateway Trail. The College contracted with Stantec to further investigate the situation and make recommendations. Stantec engineers discovered the outfall pipe had separated almost 200 feet from its outlet, causing seepage and washout around the structure.

If this were left unattended, the resulting erosion could lead to a collapse of the affected area, including a section of the perimeter road and the adjacent walking trail, within 2-3 years.

Fixing the problem

Following Stantec's advice and based on their findings, construction traffic and heavy equipment were immediately restricted and routed away from the affected site. Pedestrian traffic and regular vehicle traffice were deemed safe pending further observation. Meanwhile, the College commissioned architectural and engineering plans for repair and restoration of the outfall area.

The proposed plan for repair calls for excavation, demolition, and restoration of the 52" concrete outfall outlet pipe. This includes project management, tree relocation, and site restoration. The project is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and last through April 2025. This time period was selected specifically to avoid exposure to rainfall during the excavation, repair, and reconstruction.

After the College's public bidding process, Iafrate Construction Company was approved by the Board of Trustees to complete the repair project.

Road closure and continued pedestrian access

The perimeter road will be closed between lots 6 and 7 for the duration of the project (see map below). A small section of the current walking trail will be closed as well.

Signage and alternate routes will be posted (see map below). Access to the Rouge River Trail (the woodland section) will not be restricted by this project. A detour will be posted for walking and bicycle traffic.

All areas affected by this project will be fully restored and re-opened for vehicle and foot traffic at the end of the project.

How to navigate around the closure area: map

Main campus map showing Outfall project

Notes about the map

  1. The dotted-line area shows where the excavation and repairs will take place.
  2. The fenced construction zone will house equipment and staging for the project. This will close part, but not all, of Lot 7. If you normally park in Lot 7 to use the Gateway Trail, you can still do so.
  3. Access parking for Buildings A, B, C, D, E, K, N, and M through the North Entrance to the perimeter drive (parking lots 1-6).
  4. Access parking for Buildings F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and M through the South Entrance to the perimeter drive (parking lots 8-12).
  5. Access parking for the Welcome Center as normal, through the North Entrance or SME Drive.
  6. Access parking to walk or bike the Woodland Gateway Trail (Rouge River Trail) through either the South Entrance (lot 7) or the North Entrance (lot 6). Then walk or bike via the orange path designated on the map.
  7. Pedestrians and bikers can access the Woodland Gateway Trail (Rouge River Trail) by following the orange route designated on the map.