Trout River Bridge project to be first step of highway improvement

?Orange barrel season? begins Monday with the reconstruction of the deck of the Trout River bridge on US-23. It will mark the beginning of one of the most ambitious road construction projects to impact the county in some time. Nearly a week before the construction project was to start, Cordes Excavating of Hillman had equipment and concrete barriers tucked away several feet from the shoulder of the road, near the bridge.

THE PROJECT is to include work from the M-65/US-23 junction to County Road 451, through the city limits of Rogers City to the Trout River bridge. Ken Cordes, who has been in the construction business since 1977, said the work within Rogers City may give travelers the most headaches. The entire project is expected to be completed by July 25, before the Nautical Festival.

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?It is an aggressive schedule, but it is doable,? said Cordes. The weather has not cooperated, so that may complicate things for the firm. The bridge will have one lane closed, with the other lane regulated by a traffic control light.

CORDES IS EXPECTING delivery of culverts March 27 at the south end of the project, near the M-65 junction. ?As weather permits we then would start installing those culvert extensions and culverts,? said Cordes.

The company will start at the junction and proceed toward Rogers City. Improvement of the US-23 portion inside the city limits, known as Bradley Highway, is expected to brighten up the area. Curbs and gutters will be installed, as well as a third lane for turning.

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