County Road 510/AAA project protest planned

A call to action is being issued in regard to the County Road 510 and AAA Proposal in Marquette County. The proposed improvements are part of $44 million of transportation improvements being paid for by Lundin Mining. Lundin owns the Eagle Mine, which is on County Road AAA.

An informal group opposed to many aspects of the road project is rallying residents to attend a Road Commission meeting next week. The group is opposed to a 55 miles-per-hour speed limit on the road and is against condemnation of individual property for the sole benefit of a private company.

“If these plans go into effect, 510 and AAA as we know them will cease to exist,” Powell Township resident Gene Champagne said. “This being built as a new road; then it becomes a haul road strictly for the benefit of the mining company and not as an upgrade to existing public roads. To execute this plan, they will have to increase the right of way. They may be taking private land through eminent domain.”

The Road Commission is being asked to extend public comment by 30 days, to extend the time frame for a decision and to hold a meeting with landowners.

The Marquette County Road Commission will meet Tuesday, October 15th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Road Commission Office in Ishpeming.

Another meeting will be held Monday, October 21st, at 6:00 p.m. at the Ishpeming Township Hall.

A Checker bus will pick up Powell Township residents and Marquette-area residents next Tuersday and give them a ride to the meeting in Ishpeming.

Champagne says the bus will stop at the Powell Township hall at 4:15 p.m., followed by a stop at the University Center on the NMU campus.

The ride is free of charge, but donations will be welcome in order to offset the cost of chartering the bus.