Bessemer Council gets an update on upcoming reconstruction project.

BESSEMER — The Bessemer City Council paid about $100,000 in engineering fees on its upcoming water-sewer project during Monday’s virtual meeting, and then got a quick update on the project. Engineer Darren Pionk of C2AE said the firm has engineering plans in hand and is finalizing so-called “constructability plans.” He said the city has obtained all the needed easements and they have been recorded. State-level water and wastewater permits have been issued. The project will go to bid in January. The entire project will begin next year, with a focus on the U.S. 2 corridor, and the next season’s work will deal with other neighborhoods. Work is being coordinated with the Michigan Department of Transportation’s complete reconstruction of U.S. 2, which will include a transformation from the four-lane to a three-lane configuration and also lower the grade of the highway on the west end of town. That work also will require lowering the water line serving Marshalek Road water users, with part of that cost being absorbed by MDOT. In a second water-related matter, the council approved an agreement with the Gogebic Range Water Authority under which utility users along Iron Street will be connected to a GRWA 16-inch main. The strategy also will help keep costs down and help the city with compliance with state copper and lead water line regulations. Under Michigan law, all communities need to eliminate lead service lines. More Detail and comment in this weeks Wakefield News / Bessemer Pick and Axe.