Deborah Prescott | Daily Press Employees of U.P. Concrete Co. prepare the corner of 3rd Avenue North and North 18th Street in Escanaba for sidewalk and curbing placement.

ESCANABA — Road work on 3rd Avenue North between Lincoln Road and Stephenson Avenue in Escanaba is expected to be completed by mid-September, according to Escanaba city officials. It is one of several road repair projects the city is undertaking this year.

Robert Becotte, city engineer and public works director, applied for a grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). MDOT granted the city $157,457 to repair storm sewer lines, concrete curbs, sidewalks and pavement for this section of 3rd Avenue North. The total cost of construction will be $196,821.

“The grant is given for all-season roads with a fair amount of commercial traffic that are in poor condition. They are pretty competitive,” said Becotte.

“Other category F grants the city has received have been for West Ludington, Stephenson Avenue and Danforth Road. It is usually an 80/20 split for cost with the city share at 20 percent.”

In addition to curb, sidewalk and utility work, the road surface on 3rd Avenue North will be repaved.

Before the start of construction on 3rd Avenue North, Public Works set up a meeting with businesses that would be impacted by the repairs. There were no issues brought to that meeting. Becotte said he has been in close contact with the businesses and has not heard any problems so far.

“Everything is scheduled to be complete mid-September on 3rd Avenue North between Lincoln Road and Stephenson Avenue,” said Becotte.

In order to decide what roads will be repaired, Becotte evaluates the road’s condition, traffic volume and planned utility work.

There is a five-year plan for road work in Escanaba. This year’s major projects are:

– 20th Avenue North – North 19th Street to Sheridan Road

– Danforth Road. – 19th Avenue North to north city limit

– 3rd Avenue North – North Lincoln Road to North 30th Street

– Ludington Street – 22nd Street to North Lincoln Road

– 8th Avenue South – Lakeshore Drive to South 10th Street

– North 15th Street – Ludington Street to 1st Avenue North

– South 15th Street – Ludington Street to 1st Avenue South

– South 13th Street – Ludington Street to 1st Avenue South

– 18th Avenue South – Grand Avenue to South 21st Street