US 31 project underway in Bear Lake

A project rebuilding portions of U.S. 31 in Bear Lake began last week.

According to Michigan Department of Transportation communication specialist James Lake, the work last week focused on repairing underlying concrete joints, while this week the crews are working on storm sewers.

"Utility relocations are continuing, and next week we expect concrete crews to arrive and begin pouring curb, gutter, sidewalks and curb bump-outs on that side as well," Lake said. "Following that we'll rebuild the roadway. We're about two and a half weeks from switching to the other side of the highway and repeat what's being done on the lake side."

The $5.5 million project will also install new sidewalks on the west side of U.S. 31 from Bear Lake Market to Potter Road and new sidewalks on the east side from Cody Street to Hopkins Drive.

Lake said that there is no detour, but traffic is currently shifted with one lane open in each direction.

"In approximately six weeks crews will head south of town to continue the sidewalks and to mill and resurface that portion of the highway," Lake said.

The project has an estimated end date of Nov. 13.

Lake said the village currently has a "contractor working on replacing galvanized pipe water lines within the project limits, a project that was not part of our original plans or contract."

"Doing it this way will save the village some money as the pavement is already removed, and it alleviates the need to cut through new pavement, curb, gutter and sidewalk if this work was to be done at a later date," Lake said.

According to a previous MDOT press release, the project is estimated to directly and indirectly support 47 jobs.