U.S. 2 reconstruction project completed in Michigan

Officials from the city of Ironwood and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for the reopening of U.S. 2 in Ironwood.

Work on the two-phase U.S. 2 reconstruction project in Ironwood began in 2014 and ended last week. The final step was removing the westbound detour in Ironwood city.

The  $14.4-million project included lane widening, utility upgrades, construction of a center left-turn lane and sidewalks along U.S. 2, a major route connecting Michigan and Wisconsin.

"It's been two years of construction with partial detours both years," MDOT Crystal Falls Transportation Service Center Manager Mike Premo said. "We partnered with the city of Ironwood and they replaced all water and sanitary sewer (lines) as part of the project. These were complex projects that involved total reconstruction."

Local leaders said the project will result in many benefits for the surrounding community.

"The short- and long-term benefits of this project will be substantial," Ironwood City Manager Scott Erickson said. "This is a major facelift for the corridor. It's going to give a great first impression – not just of Ironwood, but of Michigan. We've already gotten a lot of positive feedback."