HANCOCK – The underground work for the Quincy Street reconstruction in Hancock is continuing, and work will soon begin on the streetscape for the project, according to Al Anderson.

Anderson, project manager for the Michigan Department of Transportation Ishpeming Transportation Service Center, said workers started placing concrete storm sewer pipes in the 400 block yesterday, and that work is continuing today.

Work on the road bed will take place soon, Anderson said.

“They’ll be placing sand and gravel on the 400 block later this week,” he said.

Water mains and service lines are going in for the 400 block, also, Anderson said.

“Those are already in on the 400 block, and they started on the 500 block,” he said.

The final phase of the project will run from Mine Street to South Lincoln Drive, Anderson said. The project is expected to be completed at the end of October.

A streetscape renovation is part of the project. Glenn Anderson, Hancock city manager, said work began with the placing of granite pavers on the 100 and 200 blocks of Quincy Street.

New street light poles will be installed at the end of August, Anderson said, and those will be followed by bicycle racks, benches, trash cans and trees.

“They won’t be installed until late September or early October,” he said.

The granite pavers are being installed by sub-contractor John Coponen Contracting of Houghton, and the trees will be installed by Superior Tree Farm of Chassell, Anderson said.

The benches, bicycle racks and trash cans will be installed by another sub-contractor, Anderson said. Those items will be removed during winter to make snow removal easier.

From 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Anderson said there will be a street party to celebrate the completion of the 200 and 300 blocks of Quincy Street. The event includes food and live music.

Anderson said there is also a plan to have some sort of celebration for the entire project, which is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 27, but exactly what form that will take will depend on the weather.

“We will certainly have something to mark the completion of it,” he said.

All Quincy Street businesses have been open during the project, and there is parking on side streets and in city parking lots.

Anderson said he’s been pleased with the progress of the reconstruction project.

“It’s right on schedule, and we’re pleased with that,” he said. “The finished project will look very nice.”