Transportation project wraps up with ribbon cutting ceremony

MARQUETTE — Roundabout construction in the city of Marquette has been happening since May, but on Monday, people gathered to celebrate the completion of the new roundabout on Baraga Avenue.

This roundabout is part of the New Hospital Transportation project and will provide direct access to the new hospital. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to commemorate the completion of this project.

Officials from the city, Duke LifePoint, the Michigan Department of Transportation and State Representative Ed McBroom spoke about the collaboration between several parties to finish the project.

“It’s been a long process,” said Marquette City Manager Mike Angeli. “It’s been, I don’t want to say difficult, but it’s been very complicated. There’s a lot of partners, a lot of moving parts. Our staff has worked very well to get all this done and we’re here today to recognize all of that.”

The construction was expected to be done earlier than November, but complications, like all of the rain in June, caused the work to run behind schedule. Landscaping work still needs to be done, but that will have to wait until warmer weather arrives.

Some of the area is still closed off to traffic, so the public should use caution when traveling through the area and be alert for advisory signs.

The new hospital is slated to be open by this time next year.