Construction delays expected to improve as US-23 nears completion

It?s not quite there, and it certainly doesn?t look like it in places, but the US-23 project from M-65 to the Trout River bridge in Rogers City is nearing its completion date. Tom Hilberg, who is overseeing construction for the Michigan Department of Transportation service center in Alpena, said the contractors are into the last couple of weeks and are slightly ahead of schedule. Crews from Wisconsin, mid-Michigan, and the prime contractor Bolen Asphalt of East Tawas are progressing with a ?train type? of operation as they progress along the route.

ONE MACHINE is milling the existing asphalt down to the concrete, while a second and third machine break the pavement. Pavers follow behind with hot mix asphalt. ?We?re doing about two miles in one lane, per day,? said Hilberg. ?That?s why the (US-23) closures are little bit longer.? Some motorists reported delays of more than 20 minutes recently, but Hilberg doesn?t believe it was that long earlier in the week.

?I don?t think it?s 20 minutes,? he said. ?I?m sitting on the job right now and I would say it?s a good 10 minutes now.? Hilberg said the delays won?t be as long as crew

s progress north.

A POPULAR DETOUR has been 638 Highway to Petersville Road for people wanting to get into Rogers City from business US-23, while travelers needing to get to Bradley Highway have had to travel west along Heythaler Highway from Petersville to County Road 451, and then north to the Bradley Highway business district. ?The way things are progressing down the road, the contractor thinks we can have this old concrete pavement all broken up and one course of asphalt on it in about eight days,? Hilberg said Tuesday. ?With the weather the way it is, things are going real well, so hopefully it?ll stay dry.?

The base layer of asphalt was to be paved past the Swan River bridge by Wednesday. Crews have been working from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

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