Gogebic and Marquette counties are getting some new road improvements, as per an announcement from the
Michigan Department of Transportation this month. Both projects are improving access and condition of roads due to heavy use from mining.
The total of the grants is just over $4 million, and will spur more than $431 million in private investment, and 370 new jobs, says MDOT state transportation director Kirk Steudle.
"These grants will bring about road improvements that will have a major economic impact on communities in the western Upper Peninsula," says Steudle. "MDOT is pleased to partner with local road agencies to bring new industries and new jobs to Gogebic and Marquette counties."
In
Gogebic County, the grants will upgrade County Road 519 to all-season status, preserve the Jackson Creek Bridge, improve roadway drainage, and increase safety for commercial traffic. County Road 519 is the main access to the Copperwood project site underway from
Orvana Resources in Ironwood and Wakefield townships. The road will benefit the project, since being able to ship and carry copper ore all year round will increase the mine's value and decrease transportation costs. The total cost is about $3.5 million, funded by MDOT, the Gogebic County Road Commission, and Orvana.
In
Marquette County, improvements will be made to county roads 476 and 565, in Tilden Township. They are points of access for new development of Michigan Iron Nugget, a joint venture between
Cliffs Natural Resources and
Kobe Steel Group to pelletize iron. The roads currently have seasonal restrictions and are not up to the level of truck traffic the company sees. The improvements will bring them up to all-season capability, improving safety and increasing traffic capacity, including widening of the roadways, and adding new culverts.
The grants also include re-aligning the intersection of M-35 and County Road 492 to allow better truck traffic flow and increase safety, and creation of a passing lane around the Empire Mine entrance on M-35, to allow trucks to turn more safely and obstruct traffic less. The Marquette County projects will total just over $3 million, from MDOT, Cliffs, and the Marquette County Road Commission.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Kirk Steudle, Michigan Department of Transportation
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