US 2 joint repairs in Ironwood begin Tuesday

IRONWOOD — Contractors for the Michigan Department of Transportation will begin pavement joint repairs Tuesday on about three-tenths of a mile of U.S. 2, from the Wisconsin state line to west of Tourist Park Road, in Ironwood.

The work will require lane shifts and lane closures under flag control.

It is the next phase of a project that, in addition to joint repairs and resurfacing on U.S. 2, will resurface 1.3 miles of U.S. 2 Business Route from U.S. 2 south along Douglas Boulevard, through downtown Ironwood and west to the Wisconsin state line on Silver Street.

MDOT will invest $673,000 to mill and resurface the roadway, make drainage structure repairs and upgrade concrete sidewalk ramps to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The concrete ramp work began in May. Drainage structure work began Aug. 9, and resurfacing is planned to start Aug. 28, after conclusion of the Gogebic County Fair on Cloverland Drive.

The entire project is expected to be completed in September. A project map can be found at goo.gl/VfD65D.

Some nighttime work will be required, limited to a few nights in early September. Some parking lanes will be closed, with parking available on side streets and city parking lots. Access to businesses will be maintained whenever possible.

The project will result in a smoother driving surface and increased safety, and will extend the lifespan of the roadway.