Construction Updates

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Bascule Bridge Construction

As of October 23, 2023

Please click here to read the full press release from MDOT.

US-31 bascule bridge structural steel repairs in Charlevoix to start Oct. 30

GAYLORD, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will invest $6.3 million to replace 20,000 pounds of structural steel on the US-31 bascule bridge in Charlevoix, including the bridge’s tread and track components, which facilitate the structure’s operation. The project also includes work on the bridge railings, electrical components, joints, curbs, and gutters. 

Start date:  Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 

Estimated end date:  Late May 2024 

Traffic restrictions:  When the project begins, work will require reducing the bridge to one lane open in each direction until the end of December. 

Beginning in January, traffic will be shifted to the west half of the bridge for approximately six weeks, with one lane open in each direction. In mid-to-late February, traffic will be shifted to the east half of the bridge for another six weeks, again with one lane open in each. During this time, the bridge will be closed to marine traffic in the channel which would require the bridge to open. 

From January until April, the bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for up to 10 nights, with two weeks’ notice. Traffic will be detoured on US-31, M-66, M-32, and US-131. For as many as 12 nights, and with 48 hours’ notice, the bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic intermittently for 15-minute periods between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The exact schedule of these expected closures has not yet been determined. 

From mid-April until the project is completed, the channel will reopen to marine traffic while the remaining work is finished. The bridge will return to normal operation for vehicle and marine traffic. 

 www.twitter.com/MDOT_Traverse | www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT

Mason Street Project

Call 547-3273 with questions.

Mason Street Project

As of fall 2023 - a few loose ends are still being completed but nothing that will disrupt traffic flow. Otherwise, the project is complete and beautiful!

Purpose

Some of the City’s most critical infrastructure is tied to the 100 block of Mason Street. A very large storm sewer line runs under the street and is currently undersized for future improvements needed in neighborhoods to the west of downtown. Aging infrastructure in this block and around it is in need of improvement; failing to do so now increases the risk of an unplanned closure for repair. This project will complete the improvement of cross streets into Bridge Street and will facilitate a smoother reconstruction of Bridge Street at some point in the future when MDOT does that work.

Result

When completed in late June, the 100 block of Maon Street and the adjacent parking lot and alley to the north will be completely reconstructed. This will include full restoration after the construction of this spring's DTE gas line installation, all new underground City utilities, mostly new sidewalks, new asphalt road, and parking lot surface, and the installation of landscaping, trees, brick pavers, and other aesthetic improvements. Several years ago, the City and DDA jointly conducted a study of the alley corridor behind the buildings on the west side of Bridge Street. This Alley Corridor Vision and Implementation Plan provides the basis for the improvements in the parking lot, alley, and aesthetic improvements in the roadway of Mason Street. The bioswales and other underground improvements will reduce the stormwater discharged into Round Lake and improve the water quality. EV charging stations will also be included with new parking lot lights. In total, this project will cost about $1.6 million. While inconvenient, spring construction provides the best weather and working conditions and is less impactful than summer or fall construction.

Bridge Street Street Lighting Project

Call 547-3273 with questions.

Work to begin Fall of 2023. 

DTE Project

Call 231-753-7229 for info.

As of October 16th:

Phase 3 of the DTE work that happened this past spring will be happening soon in the alley behind Smoke on the Water.  There will also be some work on Michigan Ave, just north of the bridge between Dixon and Thistle Downs Dr.  The bulk of the work will mainly be down at the end near the channel and should not be very visible or disruptive, but the Michigan Ave work may require a lane closure.  The work in the alley will require some equipment and vehicles in the alley and probably some vehicles parked along Park Street, but no traffic impact on Park.

DTE is awaiting confirmation of the official start date, but it is expected to occur this fall, and crews from Miller Pipeline and DTE will be on site for about two weeks, plus any hard surface restoration work timing.

As of May 11th:

DTE Pipeline Tests Will Produce Visible Flares 

DTE Energy is making natural gas pipeline upgrades in our area to ensure the continued safe and reliable delivery of natural gas. As part of the work, the project team is scheduled to conduct controlled gas “flares” during the morning/early afternoon on: 

  • May 11 on State Street, outside City Hall.  
  • May 16 at the north of the intersection of State St & Mason St. 

If you’re nearby, you may see a 10-20-ft.-high flame, lasting an hour or less. You also may smell a slight rotten-egg-like odor and hear a low roaring sound. This is a routine procedure, and your natural gas service will not be interrupted.  

DTE and its contractor will set up equipment near the respective locations. Crews will monitor the sites and flares throughout the entire process. Local police and fire department officials have been notified and will provide support as needed. Flares pose no harm to people or animals, but you should avoid the site.   

As always, if you believe you detect a natural gas leak at your property, err on the side of safety and leave the area immediately, dial 911, then call DTE’s dedicated natural gas leak hotline at 800.947.5000. If you have general or non-emergency questions about this work in Charlevoix, call 231.753.7229, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please leave a message and we will return your call within two business days. 

As of May 4th:

Paving of E. Dixon and 31 along with the alley behind Smoke on the Water is scheduled to take place tomorrow.  They will finish up on Saturday if need be and all traffic control should be down by Late Saturday or Sunday.

On the 11th of May and the 16 of May, they plan on “flaring off” the new gas line somewhere in front of City Hall. They will need to shut down State St. basically from Antrim to Clinton while this activity takes place. Sounds like it will only be for 45 minutes or so each time.  

The entire project is slated to be completed and cleaned up by May 20th.

As of April 26th: 

The intersection of State and Mason and Park Avenue between Bridge and State will be closed tomorrow and Friday for paving. 

As of April 13th:

The asphalt work to finish off the last bits of restoration from last fall’s phase, on Park, is scheduled for April 24th.  With all of the concrete/sidewalk/curb/gutter completed this week on that stretch, the asphalt work and the soil and seeding of the medians and rights of way we disturbed (scheduled for Monday next week to begin) should finish all of the necessary restorations from phase 1.  The new regulator station by the library had the fences/gates installed this week and the bollard covers have been replaced, so that work is now done as well.

As the city gets its schedule set for its Mason St project, Jerry is coordinating the necessary road detours with the remaining work we will have to finalize the new gas line along Bridge.  During May, we will have a couple of points where we will need to close State, near the fire dept/city hall, to flare off the gas as we pickle the new gas main…similar to what was done last fall.  

Charlevoix Gas Construction One Pager