Detour routes set.

BESSEMER — It’s more than a year off, but the detour for reconstruction of U.S. 2 through Bessemer is set.  The council voted 4-1 Monday to accept the route proposed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, which will take eastbound traffic through town via Galena, Longyear and Peck streets for about 16 weeks, as well as a westbound detour using Iron Street for a few blocks near the courthouse, but only four about four weeks, and now while classes are in session at A.D. Johnston High School. The council could have voted on the plan at its last meeting, but opted to keep a comment period open due to difficulties citizens had in participating in the September session, which was a virtual meeting. The project actually begins in 2021, with work focused on the west end of town, fully a year before the detours take effect. The Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders means the council must hold its next meeting in person.  The council can meet in the auditorium and have as many as 40 persons present, while still managing to maintain social distancing.