M-68 project gets rolling
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
It?s started. The barrels have been out for a few weeks, but the construction of M-68 begun in earnest Monday with the temporary widening of the road, so there will be enough room for vehicles on the south side, while contractor M & M Excavating of Gaylord begins the process of removing asphalt.
The project will be ongoing through the summer and fall. The completion date is Oct. 14. The original start date was April 11, but eight inches of snow and nearly three inches of rain have been a big reason for the delay.
THE LATEST issue was M & M could not get asphalt for temporary widening. ?They are paving the temporary widening today (Thursday),? said John Landrie, M & M?s superintendent of the project.
Today, the crew will be putting on the extra shoulder area, temporary striping and shifting both lanes of traffic to the south side of M-68. ?On Monday we?ll begin milling off the asphalt on the north side of the road,? said Landrie. ?There will be one to two days of milling.?
Starting in the middle of next week, the process of removing existing concrete under the asphalt, curb and gutter, as well as the sidewalks gets started. Additionally, Northern E
THE PLANS call for reconstruction of M-68 (Washington Avenue/State Street) from 1,000 feet west of M-33 to 250 feet east of Ninth Street. The project includes road reconstruction, new storm sewer and water main, curb and gutter, sidewalks, street enhancements and a flashing beacon upgrade.
Even though the project is starting more than three weeks late, there are no plans to work any weekends. This weekend, they will see how the asphalt shoulder holds up. ?We may have to change some things to make sure it?s safe,? he said.
Representatives of the Michigan Department of Transportation hosted a well-attended meeting to update business owners and residents March 23 at the Onaway Courthouse.