In 2026, Highland Park is in the middle of a massive six-year infrastructure overhaul to replace its 115-year-old system. As of early 2026, the project has moved from the “Master Meter” phase into active digging on residential side streets.
1. Current Work Zones (2025–2026)
The City of Highland Park has released a FY2024–2030 Project Map (recently updated in late 2025) that divides the city into four primary replacement phases.
- Active Focus (Early 2026): Crews are currently focused on the Southeast Quadrant of the city. You will see utility flags and active excavation on the side streets between McNichols Road and the Davison Freeway.
- Master Meters: Construction on the three “Master Meters” (the connection points to the GLWA system) at Hamilton/Webb, Hamilton/McNichols, and John R/McNichols was completed in late 2025. These are now operational, allowing the city to accurately measure for leaks for the first time in a decade.
2. Digital Interactive Maps
You can track the progress of specific addresses and streets through these official portals:
- Service Line Inventory Map: Highland Park hosts an Interactive Service Line Map where you can click on any parcel to see if the pipe is lead, galvanized, or already replaced with copper.
- The “Four Phase” Plan: The city’s Short-Term Replacement Phases Map shows that work is moving from the main corridors (Hamilton/Woodward) into the deeper residential blocks.
3. The “Ford Water Line” Legacy in 2026
Regarding your interest in the old Ford infrastructure:
- No Modern Reuse: The current $30M+ grant is strictly for potable (drinking) water. There is no effort to restore the high-volume industrial lines that once fed the Ford plant.
- Lead Removal: A primary goal of the 2026 work is to remove the “unknown” and “galvanized” lines. Many of the pipes being dug up today are the very same ones installed during Henry Ford’s era.
- Digital Billing: By late 2026, the city expects to have replaced thousands of old mechanical meters with Smart Digital Meters, ending the “estimated billing” that has plagued Highland Park for years.
Summary Table: 2026 Infrastructure Progress
| Asset Type | 2026 Status |
|---|---|
| Main Transmission Lines | Operational (Supplied by GLWA) |
| Residential Side Streets | Under Construction (Southeast Quadrant) |
| Lead Service Lines | 1,000+ scheduled for replacement in 2026 |
| Old Ford Intake Lines | Permanently Capped/Defunct |
Recommendation for Your Project
If your power plant or real estate project is located near the old Ford site (Hamilton/Manchester area), you are likely in Phase 2 or 3 of the city’s plan. This means you will have brand-new, reliable water infrastructure within the next 18-24 months.
Would you like me to help you cross-reference a specific street address against the city’s Phase Map to see if it is scheduled for a new water main this year?