Mason Street construction in Charlevoix to cause delays through June
CHARLEVOIX — Charlevoixians will need to accommodate for downtown construction traffic through the end of June this year.
Upon completion of the DTE pipeline installation which is currently underway, a large Mason Street improvement project, approved at the March 20 city council meeting, is scheduled to begin around April 10, according to Charlevoix City Manager Mark Heydlauff.
The Mason Street project, which includes repairs to the adjacent parking lot and alley, will cause a 4-6 day closure of Bridge Street in mid-May to fully tie in a new sewer connection for this street, as reported by Charlevoix's Department of Public Works Superintendent Pat Elliot.
More: Expect Bridge Street traffic delays in March and April
Elliot said of the decision to go ahead with the project this spring, "... we know from experience that spring has proven to be a better time for construction in the downtown area along with coming in to complete this project right as DTE is finishing up their project. This would limit the disruption to the downtown to one time and open the downtown up to normal traffic flow from July on. Optimally, summertime construction is the mostreliable in Michigan but, due to the seasonal nature and extensive special event activity in ourdowntown, we do not routinely do projects at the best time of the year leaving spring or fall as ouroptions."
The project came in over its estimated $1.1 million cost and was approved by council for the amount of $1,548,689, with the contract awarded to Elmer's Crane and Dozer.
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Over the past couple of years, the city has been planning and engineering the upgrades to the utilities onMason Street, along with the complete renovation to the parking lot and alleyway just north of MasonStreet. The upcoming improvements also facilitate future utility and infrastructure improvements under andalong Antrim Street, according to Elliot.
The Mason Street project includes upgrades to all of the underground utilities, including water, sewer,and storm drains. The project also includes new conduits for existing electrical needs along with anticipated future needs. All of the street lights will be upgraded to the new standard that will match the Bridge Street lighting project that is also planned for this year. The entire north sidewalk will be replaced and the south sidewalk will be replaced as needed or where it is in bad repair. There will also be new trees planted where the four, overgrown, locust trees are slated to be removed and a new asphalt surface will be laid.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Mason Street construction in Charlevoix to cause delays through June
