Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Hurley — A public involvement meeting has been scheduled to update residents on the progress made rebuilding Saxon Harbor following its destruction during the rain and flooding of the July 11, 2016 storm.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Hurley K-12 School’s auditorium.
First up will be the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s presentation on the replacement of the County A bridge over Oronto Creek.
“The project involves replacement of the existing bridge and associated approaches damaged by flood waters on County Highway A at the Oronto Creek,” the meeting notice reads. “County Highway A is the primary route to access Saxon Harbor marina and Saxon Harbor park and campground.”
The plan is to replace the existing structure with a three-span concrete flat slab over the creek, which “will be restored approximately to its pre-flood location,” according to the notice. “The project involves constructing a new bridge about 120 feet to the west on a realignment of County Highway A.”
County A is expected to be rerouted through the site of the former campground.
The campground can’t be rebuilt in its former site because of a state law preventing a campground from being built in a flood plain without an advance warning system in place — which the proximity of Oronto Creek makes virtually impossible.
The most recent plans call for relocating the campground to the other side of County A, across from Harbor Lights.
The road project is scheduled for the spring/summer of 2018.
Following the WDOT presentation, from approximately 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Iron County Forestry and Parks Department will present an update on the status of the marina and campground projects.
The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide input following the forestry department’s presentation.
