MARQUETTE — An $8.5 million reconstruction project on the U.S. 41 corridor in Marquette Township will be open for traffic on Wednesday, according to Michigan Department of Transportation officials.

“We’re very pleased with the way construction proceeded this season and we look forward to all lanes of traffic and the new two-lane roundabouts opening Wednesday,” said Rob Tervo, the manager of MDOT’s Ishpeming Transportation Service Center.

Until Wednesday, eastbound and westbound traffic at the new roundabouts at Brickyard Road and Marquette County Road 492 may be shifted to the outside lane, U.S. 41/M-28 traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction at these points, the MDOT press release states.

“Additional lane closures and shifts may be necessary during the next several days while permanent pavement markings are applied,” the release states. “Permanent sign installation will also be in progress. This work is weather-dependent.”

MDOT officials appreciate the patience and understanding shown by businesses within the project zone and motorists passing through during construction, Tervo said.

Officials say construction on the project will be suspended for the winter, and all temporary traffic signals will be removed or deactivated. There will be no signalized intersections in the corridor west of the signal at Commerce Drive.

The grassy median will be constructed next year, so traffic barrels delineating the median will stay in place over the winter. Michigan lefts will be marked to allow turn-arounds though the median.

Median construction, concrete work at the roundabout splitter island approaches, surfacing of the multi-use trail leading to the newly-constructed $2.5 million tunnel under the highway, removal of temporary access drives to Walmart and Best Buy, construction of a pedestrian path from the Target drive to Wright Street, and modifications to the Best Buy driveway at Brickyard south, will all be completed next spring, officials say.

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