News - Ishpeming roundabouts now open

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2016 
CONTACT: Dan Weingarten, MDOT Office of Communications, 906-250-4809
                       weingartend@michigan.gov

 

 Ishpeming roundabouts now open

Fast facts:
- Work on the US-41 roundabout and the Second/Third Street connector roundabout in Ishpeming finished last week.
- The two projects totaled a $4 million investment, including the construction of two modern roundabouts, creating a cul-de-sac on a city street and pavement resurfacing.
- All lanes in both roundabouts are now open.

October 10, 2016 -- The City of Ishpeming and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) marked the opening of two new modern roundabouts at a ceremony this morning, bringing the summer's $4 million major construction investment to a close.
            "MDOT and the City of Ishpeming collaborated in outstanding fashion to improve a longstanding safety problem and access management challenge in the City of Ishpeming," said Aaron Johnson, manager of MDOT's Ishpeming Transportation Service Center. "These modern roundabouts bring a safe and efficient transportation solution to US-41 and the city, and provide a wonderful new gateway to the community." 
          Roundabouts offer a solution to the traditional intersection problems of delays, capacity and safety. Since everyone is traveling in the same direction and at lower speed, crashes are reduced. Left-turn, right-angle and head-on crashes are virtually eliminated. Roundabouts make efficient use of space and increase the capacity of an intersection. They also reduce delay, emissions and fuel consumption.      
            Ishpeming City Public Works Director Jon Kangas noted that the planning and cooperation between MDOT and the city went back at least five years. 
           "It was probably as good a collaboration as you could hope for," Kangas said. "Obviously, MDOT finding the safety funds for the trunkline roundabout was the first big step and then helping us find the safety funds for our connector. Without all of that collaboration, I don't think we'd have had the successful project we've had."
            The MDOT project involved constructing a modern roundabout at the intersection of US-41/M-28 and Second Street in Ishpeming and resurfacing US-41/M-28 from Third Street to Malton Road. The project included traffic signal removal, drainage improvements, lighting, new signs, and pavement markings. In addition, the City of Ishpeming constructed a roundabout connecting Second and Third streets, closed Third Street with a cul-de-sac at US-41/M-28, and reconstructed Third Street from Park Street to the connector roundabout. 
            Construction started in April and was completed last week. The prime contractor was A. Lindberg and Sons of Ishpeming.
            Johnson said MDOT appreciated the patience and understanding shown by businesses within the project zone and motorists passing through during construction.

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Caption: Ishpeming city officials and MDOT staff, along with project designer and contractor
representatives, cut a ribbon to mark the opening of two newly constructed roundabouts
in the city, bringing the summer's $4 million construction project to a close. (MDOT photo)

 

Caption: This aerial view shows the two recently completed roundabouts in Ishpeming. 
(Photo courtesy of Matt Schroderus)

Higher resolution images: 

• ribboncutting.jpg
• Ish+roundabout.jpg