MDOT closing crossover, adding turn lane in Marquette Township
Contact:
James Lake, MDOT Office of Communications, 906-786-1830, ext. 323
Agency:
Transportation
September 17, 2009 -- To address traffic and safety concerns, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be closing the Erickson Avenue directional crossover on US-41 in Marquette Township, and constructing a new turn lane to serve area businesses. Construction is scheduled to begin Monday, Sept. 21.
The directional crossover at Erickson Avenue was intended to provide westbound traffic the means to cross over to eastbound US-41. Motorists will still be able to turn right from US-41 to Erickson Avenue, and from Erickson right onto US-41.
"This particular intersection has been a high-crash location, with conflicts between vehicles in the crossover and vehicles crossing two lanes of traffic from Erickson, intending to head east on US-41," said Andy Sikkema, manager of MDOT's Ishpeming Transportation Service Center (TSC). "Closing this crossover will eliminate many of those issues."
Westbound US-41 traffic will now need to proceed approximately 1,000 feet farther to the next directional crossover.
This project also includes construction of a right-turn lane on the eastbound portion of US-41 in this area into a driveway serving an interconnected business complex with two motels and two restaurants.
These projects were requested by Marquette Township government, through the US-41 Corridor Advisory Group, to address safety concerns and repeated complaints from motorists having difficulty making right turns into these businesses. The advisory group includes representatives from MDOT and the communities along the US-41 corridor in the greater Marquette area.
Improving access management along the US-41 corridor - consolidating driveways, regulating traffic flow and reducing traffic conflicts - has been the primary goal of the advisory group. This project fits closely with the goals of the participating members.
"Although some may see this change as inconvenient, the Erickson crossover as currently configured and used by drivers produces the highest incidence of vehicle crashes on the entire US-41 corridor," said Marquette Township Supervisor and advisory group member, Ray Adamini. "The proposed reconfiguration will benefit the safety of all drivers and passengers using the corridor in the long run."
For up-to-date information on this project, go to the list of statewide lane closures at: www.michigan.gov/drive. Follow MDOT at www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT or visit the "Michigan Department of Transportation" page on Facebook and become a fan.
MDOT: Working to improve our state roads and bridges.
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