On the latest list of Michigan Department of Transportation Economic Development Fund grants is one in Marquette County, for improving roads around the Kennecott Eagle Mine and Humboldt Mill.
The grant funds from the state TEDF total $2.63 million, with
Kennecott Eagle Minerals, the company owning the mine and mill, chipping in $659,420.
"The road improvements funded with these grants will encourage major companies to invest in our state, creating jobs and contributing to increased economic development across both peninsulas," says
MDOT director Kirk Steudle.
That will go toward improving the Triple A Road to all-season capability. The road, the main route between the nickel and copper mine in Michigamme Township and the mill in Humboldt Township, is currently unpaved and not up to all-season standards, and for efficiency of transport of ore from the mine to the mill, would be traveled by heavy trucks frequently.
The grant funds will reconstruct and pave the Triple A Road, including horizontal and vertical alignment and drainage improvements. The access roads to the Humboldt Mill, M-95 and County Road 601, also would see improvements as part of this project; M-95 will be widened at its intersection with CR 601, and a center left-turn lane will be added to improve safety and ease the flow of truck traffic.
CR 601 itself will be widened and reconstructed, as it also does not meet all-season standards for heavy trucks. A steep hill on the road will be flattened, and two sharp curves will be realigned for better safety.
The operation of the mine and mill is estimated to add 236 jobs in the area, increasing employee and customer traffic as well as commercial traffic. That was one of the main qualifications for the grant funding, which is given through the fund to projects that encourage private investment, create or support jobs.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Kirk Steudle, Michigan Department of Transportation
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