Meeting tonight about Esky city construction
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ESCANABA — As construction continues around Escanaba — most notably on Ludington Street — the city is once again holding an informational meeting that gives the public the opportunity to ask questions.
Large infrastructure or construction projects can be practically impossible to estimate timelines for, which is why the City asked for patience from its residents before work began and continue to offer updates along the way.
Work began in 2025 on the east end of Ludington Street to upgrade the stowm sewer system. City staff decided that while the road was torn up, they would take the opportunity to complete other underground work as well.
The replacing of water service lines is underway not just in Escanaba but in every municipality in the State of Michigan to comply with a mandate intended to eliminate lead in drinking water following the crisis in Flint. All replacements in Michigan are to be done by 2041, making Escanaba one of the first to tackle the mission.
“In some ways, this work is a blessing for the City of Escanaba, as many seasoned utility experts feel that our galvanized water services within the system are aging,” read a letter from the city during the project’s infancy. “…Older galvanized water services will fail to the point of leaking within the next 20 years, which would result in the same work being completed regardless of this mandate.”
Presently, Ludington Street is closed from 6th Street to 10th Street and from the other side of 10th to 17th Street. Elsewhere in town, cones marking blocked-off blocks seem to move around a lot as the work expands or changes to another place nearby.
In attendance at this evening’s public information meeting, held at 6 p.m. at Escanaba City Hall (410 Ludington St.), will be engineering staff from C2AE and city staff from the water and wastewater departments. The officials will be able to provide information as well as answer questions from citizens.
Questions may be directed to Jeff Lampi or Michael Hubert at the City of Escanaba Water and Wastewater Department: 906-786-1301.