News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Barriers redirect traffic on 2nd Avenue in Alpena on Friday. A large water, sewer, and road project there will begin Monday. The project will happen in phases and could wrap up in August. Until then, motorists will have to find alternate routes around the construction.

ALPENA — Motorists in Alpena need to prepare for detours on the city’s north side this summer as a large water, sewer, and road project begins on 2nd Avenue on Monday.

The project will run from Fletcher Street to Huber Street near McRea Park and will include a complete replacement of water and sewer infrastructure, a rebuilt street, and curb and gutter upgrades.

The installation of decorative street lights and stamped concrete on walkways also will happen.

The project is expected to cost about $3.2 million, paid for with money out of Alpena’s water and sewer fund.

Alpena Engineer Steve Shultz said water and sewer lines in that area of the city are between 60 and 80 years old, and lines under a few blocks of residential properties could be nearly 100 years old.

“There are just some areas that have never been touched,” he said.

The city lists the project in its Capital Improvement Plan.

Alpena government officials have applied for a grant three times to help cover the cost of the project. Each time, the city’s request was denied.

Shultz said that, after the last rejection, the Alpena Municipal Council decided to pay for the needed improvement with city money.

The project begins on Monday and periodic road closures on 2nd avenue will happen through August, when Shutlz said the project may be wrapped up.

He said construction crews will work in two-block intervals, but another block or two of roadway will have materials and equipment on it.

Shultz said the city hopes to keep Fletcher Street open for the duration of the project, but large chunks of 2nd Avenue will close to traffic. He added construction crews will try to keep heavily used intersections like the ones at Oldfield Street and Miller Street open, but he said he can’t rule out that they may close as the project moves forward.

“We’re hoping to get past the downtown area of the north side and into the residential area before the Fourth of July, and then things in that area may begin to open up,” he said.

Shultz said he hopes the project has a limited impact on local small businesses in the construction area. Many of the businesses have customer access points in their rear, which motorists can reach from side streets or alleys.

He said some people may have to park on a side street and walk to a business, but the sidewalk will be open. Shultz urged people walking near the construction work to use caution.

As the project moves forward, Shultz said, city officials will provide the public updates on detours, road closures, progress, and any delays that may occur.