It’s Been a Long Road, and finally . . .
Posted on: May 28, 2025
I just began my twenty-fifth year with the City of Auburn Hills, and for years we have attempted to accomplish converting Butler Road from a rural dirt road into a paved road that will create a proper connection between North Squirrel Road in Auburn Hills and Adams Road in Rochester Hills. Although there are no homes or businesses with formal entrances along the Auburn Hills portion of Butler Road, it has been the desire of city leaders to have that roadway properly constructed in order to eliminate what is a really bad road. So, I guess if you’re around long enough like I’ve been, you finally get to see long-awaited projects come to fruition.
Road construction is not cheap, and this section of roadway in Auburn Hills that remains unpaved is certainly no exception. It requires the installation of an appropriate compacted base, curb and gutter, and everything that comes along with constructing a new roadway and in this case, a roadway carved through a very challenging terrain. The cost of the new road is $1,953,500, made up of funds from two of our Auburn Hills Tax Increment Finance Authority districts ($395,000), our local roads fund ($1,482,722) and a contribution from the Oakland County Local Road Improvement Program ($75,778). Our thanks to Oakland County for their contribution.
With respect for it being a wooded area, much has been done to preserve trees while adhering to safety standards that include having trees far enough away from the road edges. It’s a balance between safety while preserving the natural environment. It will continue to be a beautiful road on which to drive, but without all the potholes, ruts, and bumps for which it has become known. We know our Rochester Hills neighbors in the Butler Ridge subdivision are going to appreciate getting to their homes from North Squirrel Road without constantly muddying their automobiles and rattling their teeth. And for those trying to get to their homes or places of work in Auburn Hills from Adams Road, you’ll finally have smooth sailing. But fair warning, don’t think it’s going to become a raceway. We’ll be monitoring speeds and the last thing you need to celebrate a smooth ride down Butler Road is a speeding ticket. Don’t say you haven’t been warned. Construction is expected to begin in June, and the road will be closed until it is completed and reopened in the fall. PLAN AHEAD for this closure.
Thomas A. Tanghe, City Manager