MARQUETTE — County Road 492 in Marquette Township may be the subject of a speed study in 2019 based on the recommendations of two township commission recommendations.

The Marquette Township Board will consider requesting a Marquette County Road Commission speed study of the stretch of CR 492 from the Iron Ore Heritage Trail crossing to the intersection at Bishop Woods Road during its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Marquette Township Hall.

Both the Marquette Township Planning Commission and the Road Committee recommended the study “with the expressed intent to continue the posted 45 mph speed limit” on the westbound stretch of the road.

The speed study is a the direct result of a Nov. 6 email received from a concerned resident stating that entering County Road 492 from Weiland Drive is treacherous due to a utility box on an elevated bluff that results in a “limited sight distance.”

Concern was also expressed “with respect to the numerous curves and their proximity to an increasing volume of residential traffic entering and exiting County Road 492,” a Dec. 4 letter from Marquette Township Road Commission Chairman David Weigand states.

According to a map provided by the township planning commission, the speed limit along County Road 492 is 45 miles per hour from Lost Creek Drive traveling westbound until just past the Iron Ore Heritage Trail crossing where the the limit increases to 55 miles per hour.

The study’s desired result, if approved by the board, would result in speed reduction by extending the 45 mph to a point on County Road 492 just past the Bishop Woods intersection.

In other business the township board will consider its 2019 contract for supplemental law enforcement coverage through the Marquette County Sheriff’s office.

Under the 80-hour-per-week agreement, if approved, the sheriff’s department will not increase the current hourly fee of $45.64 for the wages and benefits the two full time officers it currently provides.

On Nov. 6, Marquette Township voters approved a proposal of .4 mills to provide partial payment for law enforcement and patrol coverage over and above basic otherwise covered by the sheriff’s office.

The millage is expected to provide about $90,000 annually, which is roughly half the cost of the law enforcement coverage.

The board will also consider recommended 2019 road maintenance projects, a plat extension request for Bishop Woods Subdivision no. 4, a payment in lieu of taxes relating to Whetstone as well as the appointment of fire and rescue officers effective in 2019.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.