Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RALPH ANSAMI
Hurley — Old Man Winter delivered an early blow that has knocked out the Copper Street infrastructure project until spring.
The two feet of heavy snow that Hurley received in the past two weeks has shut down the work by Ross Peterson Construction, of Hurley.
That leaves a mess for Copper Street residents to contend with this winter.
MSA Professional Services, the city’s engineering company for the project, offered a written update from project manager Jeff Seamandel on Tuesday.
The company has completed the water, sewer and storm sewer work along U.S. 51 and Copper.
Because of the heavy snowfall and soft ground surface, the company will not be able to complete the street work along Copper Street, however.
At a project progress meeting last week, it was decided the mine rock and crushed aggregate base course along Copper Street will need to be placed next spring, Seamandel said.
Gravel will be placed along sidewalk patches and gravel has also been laid along the intersections with Third and Fourth Avenues for the winter months.
Copper Street will be graded when freezing temperatures allow.
The city will snowplow along the street and main sidewalks over the winter.
Seamandel indicated the main lot on the corner of Third Avenue and Copper will be available for parking over the winter. Residents are encouraged to use that parking area and it will be kept free of snow.
Ramps for access to garages will be provided, where necessary, council members were told.
The remaining Copper Street work includes replacing the concrete sidewalks, installing new curb and gutter and paving the street.
Another part of the city’s infrastructure project involves repairs and paint for the Germania Hill water tank.
Champion Coatings has completed about 75 percent of the painting of the exterior of the tank. A mixer has been installed to keep the water fresher and prevent ice build-up. Painting of the bottom of the tank will be completed next spring and Ross Peterson Construction will finish dirt work and install a chain-link fence around the perimeter of the tank.
