Roundabout construction being wrapped up

ISHPEMING– A $4 million construction project is scheduled to wrap up the next couple of days.

There’s just a few things left for construction crews to complete at the new roundabout at the intersection of US–41 and Second Street in Ishpeming.

According to MDOT Communications Representative Dan Weingarten, no major problems came to light during construction of the roundabout. All that’s left for workers to do is what Weingarten calls punch list items.

“Some pavement markings that still have to be applied and some rumble strips that have be ground in and general cleanup of the construction area. Roundabouts have been proven safety measures, everywhere they’ve been installed,” Weingarten said. “We’re looking at, according to research, like an 88% reduction in injury crashes at an intersection after a roundabout goes in.”

The roundabout on the highway was one of two roundabouts installed this summer. The other roundabout was constructed directly behind the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame.

That one connects Second and Third Streets. Weingarten expects the finishing touches on the highway roundabout to be finished in the next couple of days.