Bessemer approves US2 detour route

By CHARITY SMITH

csmith@yourdailyglobe.com

Bessemer — After hearing public opinion and much discussion, the Bessemer City Council approved detour routes for the upcoming U.S. 2 reconstruction project planned for 2021-22. The two routes — one east to west and the other west to east — will be used in 2022, and were originally discussed by the board with Michigan Department of Transportation officials at a September meeting.

The routes were approved 4-1, with only councilman Bill McDonald dissenting during Monday’s regular meeting. McDonald said that he felt the people didn’t get to properly voice their concerns as the MDOT presentation was done online. He advocated a longer detour that would have bypassed much of the city.

“Remember, they are doing us a huge favor by scheduling their project in conjunction with ours. That’s making it much, much cheaper to get our water and sewer replaced,” Mayor Adam Zak told McDonald. The project not only includes reconstruction of the highway, but also water and sewer work.

The detour route going from west to east will go south on Mill Street, east on Galena Street, turning on Moore Street to Longyear Street, then over to Peck Street and back to U.S. 2. The route going from east to west will go north on Case Street, left on Iron Street and back south on Mine Street back to U.S. 2. Officials expect the routes to be used for about 16 weeks beginning in May of 2022.

MDOT has agreed to do a micro mill after the project is completed so any damage done to the streets during the detour route will be fixed.

“There is not perfect route, there will not be a perfect route, no matter which route you choose, you are going to offend someone, you’re going to bother someone,” said councilwoman Linda Nelson. “I think the people that looked into it really found the best route that would work, aside from building a bridge over the entire city of Bessemer that won’t affect anybody.”

Five residents submitted their written opinions of the proposed detours to city manager Charly Loper. Some expressed concerns over the volume of traffic on their streets, the lack of street lights on the side streets, and the safety of their children playing in their yards.

“I have kids that play in my yard and I feel this is not safe,” said Kara Ossana, a resident who lives along the detour route in her letter to Loper.

Doug Kupitz said he was also concerned about the speed drivers would use on the side streets.

Zak admitted he was originally in favor of a longer detour route, but said that after looking into it, he realized that there are a lot of businesses right off of the highway that would miss out if they took a detour way out of town.

“I sympathize with everybody, but I don’t know what other choices we have that can make it any better,” Zak said.

The council also:

—Approved the purchase of a new snowblower, and gave Loper the authorization to start looking into obtaining bond funding for it. The snowblower is expected to cost approximately $140,000.

—Granted the owner of 304 Lead Street two more weeks to come up with a written plan of action to take care of his dilapidated property, before the city decides whether or not to condemn it.

—Appointed the the building authority to consist of the offices of city manager, clerk/treasurer , and city secretary.

—Held a first reading of a fire escrow ordinance that requires that homeowners must remove the burned up house, before they can receive funds. The policy is to insure that the city does not have to pay for the clean up of properties that owners walk away from after a fire. A second reading and public hearing on the ordinance will take place during the next council meeting on Oct. 19.

—Voted to place surplus equipment up for sale online.

—Approved the bid from Ruotsala Construction for $34,811 to fix the Tamarack culvert by Nov. 15.