US 2 Business Route work continues through Friday

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Ironwood — The bulk of the U.S. 2 Business Route repaving project in Ironwood will extend through the end of the week, the city commission learned Monday.

City Manager Scott Erickson said while one lane of the route through the city was paved on Monday, preparations for paving the second lane were scheduled for today. The other lane will then be paved on Wednesday.

The connector streets to Business Route 2 will be worked on during Thursday and Friday, Erickson said.

The Michigan Department of Transportation project that has included downtown area detours this week began late last month with intersection improvements.

The Michigan DOT previously said the entire project was expected to run through late September.

A total of 1.3 miles, from U.S. 2 to the Wisconsin state line, are being resurfaced as MDOT invests $673,000 to mill and resurface the roadway.

Also included have been drainage structure repairs and upgrading concrete sidewalk ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Erickson said while the project is creating some inconveniences for motorists, the end result will be a slick new surface through town to complement the street work the city has tackled over the past several years.

Meanwhile, the $150,000 street crack-sealing project north of U.S. 2 is wrapping up. Erickson said other areas of the city will be considered for crack-sealing next year as part of the city’s street maintenance program.

In other business Monday, the city commission granted a variance to Larry Sanders to construct a second garage at 1121 N. Hemlock St.

Commissioner Jim Mildren said adding a $30,000 building to the tax roll is another example of how Ironwood is improving.

There was no public opposition to Sanders’ request at a Monday hearing, although the second garage was not permitted under the city’s zoning ordinance, exceeding square footage requirements.

Commissioners noted Sanders tore down a dilapidated building on the parcel at his own expense.

The variance to allow the second garage to be built passed 4-0, with commissioner Kim Corcoran absent.