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Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette
Michigan Division of Transportation Director Paul Ajegba, center, converses with Al Anderson and Rob Tervo of the MDOT Transportation Service Center in Ishpeming all by way of a strolling tour of enchancment in Houghton Thursday.

HOUGHTON — The state of enchancment on the U.S. 41 road enterprise in Houghton acquired a thumbs-up from the state’s transportation director.

Michigan Division of Transportation Director Paul Ajegba did a strolling tour aprolongedside School Avenue from Michigan Technological College to Franklin Sq. Thursday morning. He was joined by Rob Tervo and Al Anderson, respectively the supervisor and enchancment engineer at MDOT’s Transportation Service Center in Ishpeming.

“All indications from our area people right here is that every thing Goes very properly,” Ajegba said.

The two-yr, $9 million School Avenue enterprise includes the reenchancment of the road between MacInnes Drive and Franklin Sq.. Work Is predicted to be accomplished in September.

To reinforce pedestrian safety, Townsend Drive was transformed from 4 lanes To 2. School Avenue is being widened To permit for a flip lane, which is hoped To Scale again visitors againups.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette
A trio of Michigan Division of Transportation officers — Director Paul Ajegba, center, and Al Anderson and Rob Tervo of the Transportation Service Center in Ishpeming — converses with Bacco Construction supervisor Kevin Rogan, left, all by way of a tour of The school Avenue road enchancment in Houghton Thursday.

The enterprise additionally consists of sanitary sewer and water primary upgrades. Wright hereas tright here’s been overlays, School Avenue hasn’t had A critical reenchancment Because it was constructed, Ajegba said.

“That is the primary time we’ve truly had An alternative to take every thing out, repair All of the pipes beneath and put again A complete new pavement that’s going to final A very Very prolonged time,” he said.

As a area engineer, Ajegba said he enjoys Attending to see the progress of enchancment firsthand.

“I’m the transportation director of The complete state, so getting The prospect To reflip up and spend A while with our group up right here goes a Good distance for them to additionally know they’ve acquired the assist of us in Lansing,” he said.

Ajegba additionally stopped To converse with a quantity of of The staff from Bacco Construction Who’re Engaged on the enterprise. He acquired to have a joking dialog with one 45-yr enchancment veteran Regarding the biggest method it’s simpler doing freemethod tasks.

“You don’t Want to Deal with All of the underlying pipes and sewer system,” Ajegba said. “Freemethod enchancment, You are taking the pavement out, put it again, You progress on. So it was good to have that Sort of dialog with somebody.”

The $3.5 billion being spent on infrastructure this yr is a state doc, up from $1.2 billion in 2018, Ajegba said.

“As a Outcome of of governor’s emphasis on repairing our roads and infrastructure, the dedication and the funding is tright here To Do this,” he said. “So all throughout the state anywright here you drive, you see A lot of enchancment Occurring. And that i On A daily basis say enchancment Is An indication of progress.”

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette
Michigan Division of Transportation Director Paul Ajegba, center, converses with Al Anderson and Rob Tervo of the MDOT Transportation Service Center in Ishpeming all by way of a strolling tour of enchancment in Houghton Thursday.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette
A trio of Michigan Division of Transportation officers — Director Paul Ajegba, center, and Al Anderson and Rob Tervo of the Transportation Service Center in Ishpeming — converses with Bacco Construction supervisor Kevin Rogan, left, all by way of a tour of The school Avenue road enchancment in Houghton Thursday.

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