Almost completed
Quincy Street project wrapping up
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HOUGHTON -- The Quincy Street/Bridge Street corridor linking Montezuma Avenue and Shelden Avenue is expected to wrap up today. Major and lengthy repairs to the Portage Lake Lift Bridge have created the need for a high-capacity temporary bypass to relive congestion in the so-called “Yooper Loop” when the bridge project begins.
During his report at the regular meeting of the Houghton City Council Wednesday, City Manager Eric Waara said the block-long project should wrap up by week’s end. The resurfacing project not only caused the closure of Quincy Street between Shelden and Montezuma for much of the week, but also forced the closure of the parking deck across from the Ambassador Restaurant.
With a very light agenda the meeting took less than 20 minutes, but Waara had several important information items to pass along to the council. Waara said the Department of Public Works has been busy preparing for the upcoming winter season. He also shared some a couple items of good news. “As a result of last year’s flood damage, the city applied for $240,000 from the state’s disaster relief fund,” he said. Because the repair work cost less than the allocated funds, the city may now use some of the surplus. “Several smaller projects will be combined and bid out,” Waara said. He noted the materials and overtime compensation totals about $60,000. and will include repairs to storm sewers damaged by the 2025 flood. “So that’s good news,” Waara said.
The council also learned the drastic increase in the cost of the city’s insurance policy will be considerably less than feared. Earlier in the year, Waara anticipated an increase of 75%. He said working through the Michigan Municipal League the city was able to have at least the same coverage at an increase of only 35%. “So there’s some more good news,” he said.
The city manager said he will be attended the Michigan Municipal League Convention next month in Traverse City and will emcee a portion of a program.
The council took action on three items. They set the date of the Fall Clean up starting today through October 25. The dumpsters near the City’s salt storage build will be available to residents on Friday – Sunday during that period. Pick up for seniors (65+) and handicapped individuals will take place this Monday and again on Monday Oct. 12. City crews will pick up yard debris and items accepted in the drop off dumpsters on those dates.Those interested should call the city to be put on the list for one of those two dates.
The council approved the membership request made by Jerome Thelen to join the Houghton Fire Department and appointed Courtney Hohnholt to the Portage Lake District Library Board.