Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
A DRIVER heads east along McLeod Avenue in Ironwood, passing the Ironwood Public Safety Department's speed trailer. The trailer is being used to help drivers keep an eye on their speeds while using the detour route. The portable trailer will be used in various locations along the route throughout the summer.
TRAFFIC ALONG McLeod Avenue no longer has to stop at the cross streets of Lowell and Suffolk, due to McLeod being used as a detour route while construction along U.S. 2 takes place over the summer.
IRONWOOD - The Ironwood Public Safety Department has placed a speed trailer along McLeod Avenue to help insure drivers respect the posted speed limit of 25 mph on the U.S. 2 detour route.
Lt. Mike Rimkus of IPSD said officers are monitoring drivers' speeds along the route using both moving and stationary radar.
"We're proactive, with our officers out in marked squads patrolling the detour frequently," he said.
The IPSD has had some complaints of speeders along the route, but Rimkus said vehicles' speeds have been around the average of 25 to 30 mph.
Police also wanted drivers to observe signs that have been posted regarding traffic changes along the route.
With the detour in effect, the stop signs for McLeod Avenue traffic at the intersections of Lowell and Suffolk streets have been removed, although many drivers are still stopping, causing confusion and near accidents.
"We believed it would take a few days (for drivers to get used to the change), but Michigan Department of Transportation said with all the other projects they have done, that it usually take a few weeks," Rimkus said. "But it's starting to get better."
Police stress there is also no parking on most of the south side of McLeod Avenue.
"We've been giving out warnings, but the warnings will cease and citations will be given," Rimkus said.
With the detour route being used by larger vehicles such as semi rigs that require more space, the no-parking zones have been put in place to maintain safety.
