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Council OKs road work associated with water project

ISHPEMING — The Ishpeming City Council at a special meeting Wednesday unanimously approved a plan to spend roughly $75,400 to repave portions of Second Street this spring and summer.

Only half of the pavement would need to be removed during the course of the city’s $12 million water infrastructure project, set to begin this spring.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funds acquired by the city can be used to repave those sections, GEI Consultants Senior Project Manager Mark Stoor said.

Contractors will pave Second Street from Michigan Street to the roundabout north of Bessemer Street. The project also involves a section of Second Street in the downtown area, Stoor said.

Paving the remaining sections of the 22 streets involved in the water project would cost the city over $1 million, according to a spreadsheet provided to the council by Stoor.

However, any pavement damaged in the course of the project could be replaced with USDA funds, Stoor said.

Preparation work for the water project is expected to begin in the second week of April, Stoor said, including setting up temporary water service to those residents and businesses who will be affected. The crews will not begin digging until frost in the ground thaws, which is expected in mid- to late April.

“As soon as they can start digging in the ground, they are going to want to be doing it,” Stoor said. “We will be meeting soon to make sure that we’ve got our plan for notifications for posting onto Facebook, taking care of all that. It is going to be a very busy year.”

Stoor said he expects to have three crews each assigned to specific work sites, with a fourth crew working in outlying areas.

The $12 million in USDA funding for the water project, which is expected to replace about a quarter of the city’s water infrastructure, was announced in 2015 and consists of an $8.98 million 40-year low-interest loan combined with a $3.02 million grant.

The council also approved a letter that will be sent out to residents concerning the project, which includes a map of the proposed work area.

The letter says, in part, that residents who live in a work area may experience limited access to their properties and water service may be shut off at certain times.

The plan includes the removal of all lead pipes in water lines up to the curb stop valve, the letter states.

“Sewer lines from your property to the main water lines to the curb stop are the property owner’s responsibility,” the letter states. “Please be aware that the city will not connect lead pipes or leaking service lines from your home to the new system. If these lines are defective, you will need to make arrangements to replace service lines to your property.”

Residents are advised that the city will post updates on the city website at www.ishpemingcity.org and on the city Facebook page as the contractor confirms the schedule for specific work areas. Residents can also inquire by calling or visiting Ishpeming City Hall. Updates will not be mailed, the letter states.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.

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