Work resumes on Ishpeming roundabout
Symphony of construction
MARQUETTE — Crews have resumed road work in Ishpeming on the roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 41, M-28 and Lakeshore Drive.
The Michigan Department of Transporation began construction on the $6.4 million project in September. As it stands, work on the project is slated to be completed in October, according to MDOT’s Dan Weingarten.
Currently work is being done on the north side of the highway, so traffic has been moved to the south side with one lane open in each direction. North Lakeshore Drive is closed at the intersection with a detour on Country Lane and River Parkway. In mid-July, traffic will switch to the north side while work continues on the south side of the intersection.
Another significant road project in Marquette County is a rebuilding project on M-35 in Gwinn from east of Smith Street to the east branch of the Escanaba River. Construction work began last fall and is scheduled to resume, weather permitting, on Monday. Forsyth Township is replacing sewer in conjunction with the road rebuilding, which is cost effective. MDOT, Forsyth Township and the Marquette County Road Commission are investing about $4.4 million to rebuild 0.7 of a mile of M-35. Work includes asphalt rebuilding; concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk ramp installation; storm sewer and drainage; repairs; bridge approach repairs; water main and sanitary sewer repairs; detour route improvements; and pavement markings.
During construction, one lane of alternating traffic will be maintained from North Billings Street to east of Smith Street using temporary signals. The work is projected to be completed by mid-June.
Weingarten noted other significant work scheduled this summer in the Gwinn area includes resurfacing M-35 from the east branch to the west branch of the Escanaba River; and pavement sealing on M-553 from Gwinn to the intersection at County Road 480.
Other fairly significant work in Marquette County includes milling off the top layer on M-553 from Division Street to U.S. 41 to resurface, and work on the railroad crossing over U.S. 41 in Champion heading toward Michigamme.
Vickie Fee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is vfee@miningjournal.net