DNR to hold open house Wednesday

EAGLE HARBOR — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will hold an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Eagle Harbor Community Center, 8276 M-26, to showcase three development concepts being considered to replace aging infrastructure at the state harbor there.

“We encourage boaters, day users and the community to participate along with the general public in this open house session to help shape future development of the harbor,” said Bob Wild, unit supervisor for Fort Wilkins Historic State Park and Eagle Harbor State Harbor, in a news release. “At this session, participants will be able to learn more about each of the potential development concepts and offer input to the planning process.”

Three proposed design concepts for the harbor upgrade are to be posted at Michigan.gov/DNRPublicInput. After this date, those who are unable to attend the public open house but would like to review the plans and contribute comments can visit this same webpage or the Fort Wilkins Historic State Park headquarters in Copper Harbor.

In the meantime, a DNR Harbor Upgrade Feasibility Study, which investigates the facility’s existing infrastructure and conceptualizes potential development options, is available now.

The Aug. 21 open house kicks off a 15-day public comment period that will run through Sept. 6.

Construction scheduled for M-28

MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Transportation is partnering with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community on a $564,000 project to reconstruct the M-28/Acre Trail Road intersection in Chocolay Township.

The work is scheduled to start Aug. 19 and be completed Sept. 27.

Acre Trail Road is the entrance to the Marquette Ojibway Casino, which is undergoing a major expansion, including the addition of a new 1,200-seat event and entertainment venue and expanded gaming area. A new hotel is also planned in the future.

A Transportation Economic Development Fund Category A grant was secured to pay for 60 percent of the project with the remaining matching funds being contributed by MDOT and the KBIC. Left- and right-turn lanes will be added on M-28 to support the additional traffic and turning movements generated by the expansion. The project also includes concrete curb and gutter, new signs, pavement markings, and centerline rumble strips.

The work will require shoulder closures and single-lane closures. One alternating lane will be open via traffic regulators. An MDOT release states this project will increase safety and provide for the smooth flow of traffic for motorists on M-28 as well as those turning at Acre Trail Road.

For a project map visit https://bit.ly/2KDIMWn.

Iron River man cited for fuel spill

MARQUETTE — A truck driver was cited Thursday for leaking diesel fuel onto US-2 while traveling on the highway.

The 58-year-old Iron River man began leaking fuel from the 81-gallon fuel tank of his truck owned by Hebert Construction out of Iron River at approximately 1:10 p.m.

The fuel leaked onto the eastbound lane and shoulder of the road, near Larson Park, in Bates Township of Iron County.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post responded to the spill. Crews were on scene trying to contain the fuel and clean up the roadway to ensure no further spillage remained. Motorists were slowed and urged to use caution while traveling in the area.

The Iron River Police Department, West Iron County Fire Department and Aspirus Ambulance assisted on the scene.

1 injured, 1 cited in two-vehicle crash

MARQUETTE — One person was treated for minor injuries and one was hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash in Chippewa County Saturday evening, according to the Michigan State Police.

The accident took place on M-28 near Salt Point Road in Chippewa Township when an eastbound vehicle crossed over the centerline to turn into a parking lot and ran into a vehicle traveling westbound.

The westbound vehicle driver attempted to avoid the crash by veering off, but was struck in the driver’s side door causing him to hit the grassy portion of the shoulder of the road and roll over several times before coming to a rest.

The driver of the westbound vehicle was identified as Michael Bitnar of Rudyard who was transported to War Memorial Hospital for internal injuries.

Bitnar has not yet been released from the hospital, according to Sergeant William Smith of the Sault Ste. Marie Post.

The driver of the eastbound vehicle was identified as Paul Sitz of Ramsey, Minnesota, who suffered minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

Sitz was found at fault for the crash and cited for careless driving.

Alcohol and drugs were not suspected to be a factor in the crash.

Bay Mills ambulance and Hulbert Fire responded to the scene and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s department and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources assisted in the investigation.