Work on some of Escanaba's residential and side streets -- like Second Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets, seen here on the 13th -- began last week, but the big project for Ludington Street was pushed back due to weather. (R. R. Branstrom)

ESCANABA — Though the major construction on Ludington Street had initially been scheduled to begin yesterday, delays have pushed it back. As of close of day on Monday, there was no set start date.

This year’s work on the city’s main street is a continuation of the infrastructure repairs that closed the east end of Ludington Street in 2025. Work this spring and summer will close Ludington from Sixth Street to 16th Street. When all is finished, the downtown strip will feature sidewalk expansions, curb bump-outs and a new dedicated bike lane on top of replaced pipes.

Construction elsewhere in Escanaba began last week. Residents surely encountered blocked roads and saw and/or heard heavy machinery tearing up pavement in usually-quiet areas.

Across much of the city and around Michigan, sanitary sewers, lead service lines, storm drains and water mains are in the process of upgrades. The multi-year process is lengthy and requires resources, so municipalities urge residents to be patient as improvements are made for public health.

Aside from main street, roads being worked on this season in Escanaba are:

– alleys on the 500 and 600 block of South 15th and South 16th Streets

– Second Avenue South near Sixth and Seventh Streets

– South 10th Street from Fifth to Seventh Avenues; later, from Seventh to Lakeshore Drive

– 600 and 700 blocks on south side of Ludington Street

Questions may be directed to the City of Escanaba Water Department at 906-786-3291. Additionally, public informational meetings — where city staff and engineers from C2AE are available to answer questions — are held on the first Wednesday of each month at City Hall at 6 p.m.

When Ludington Street does close, construction is to begin in front of the Daily Press. Customers will still be able to access the sidewalk and front door but will have to park alongside the building on North Sixth Street.