Summer road projects nearly finished

The Alpena County Road Commission's summer road projects are nearing completion, with most work expected to be done by this weekend.

During the commission's meeting on Tuesday, Superintendent Curt Gonyea said 1 1/4 inches of additional road overlay will be put on Werth Road and Wolf Creek bridge. There also will be new asphalt on Diamond Point Drive, he said.

"All roads will be open for the holiday weekend," Gonyea said.

Managing Director Larry Orcutt said the projects are on schedule if the weather allows work to be done.

Orcutt also said the curb work is done on Princeton Avenue at the site of a new Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union branch. The area will be paved by the end of next week, he said.

Due to the weather, the commission is intently watching the condition of unpaved roads.

Rainfall can be both good and bad for dust control solutions the commission uses, Orcutt said.

"Rain helps keep the dust down but it dilutes what you put down," he said.

The road commission plans on applying the solution, either calcium chloride or mineral well brine, once during the year. If it gets diluted, primary roads may be regraded. Townships can ask for their roads to be treated a second time, but they pick up the bill.

Orcutt said with tight finances, the road commission is trying to get by without doing second applications.

The road commission board of directors unanimously approved a new flashing yellow light at the intersection of Nicholson Hill Road and US-23. The replacement will be paid for by the Michigan Department of Transportation.

The light is being replaced as part of an ongoing project by MDOT to modernize flashing beacons.

In other business, the board approved a bid from Specification Stone Products Inc. for 6640 tons of coarse aggregate. The cost of the aggregate varies from $4.80-$8.05 per ton based on where it will be furnished and stockpiled.

Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.