Sault prepares for major construction projects this spring and summer
SAULT STE. MARIE — This spring, a number of construction projects are getting underway throughout the Sault Ste. Marie area.
Returning to work this month, the Carbide Dock project will be seeing the last round of reconstruction. After almost a decade of planning, funding and rescheduling, city officials said the dock and truck route are expected to be completed this summer.
The reconstruction of Meridian Street is set to begin in May. The half mile of Meridian Street near Lake Superior State University has been an issue for the community for a long time because of large potholes and bumps.
After almost a decade of planning, the road will finally undergo total reconstruction and sewer replacement. The project is estimated to cost $3.1 million.
More: Meridian Street reconstruction project set to start in May
The Power Canal Trail project, which originally began in 2022, saw the construction of a non-motorized trail continuation near the east bridge leading into downtown Sault. Emergency utility work by Cloverland Electric delayed the project, but work is scheduled to start again in August.
The total cost for the project before the delay was $289,000, but this cost is expected to rise.
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The Safe Routes to School project, which was announced last year, will see pedestrian safety feature improvements in the areas leading to and from the elementary and middle schools in the Sault school district. The project will connect with and expand upon a previous Safe Routes project for Bahweting School.
Work will begin on June 3 and officials said it should not affect traffic conditions.
In partnership with EGLE, the city has obtained Clean Water State Revolving Funding to upgrade a failing wastewater treatment plant and upgrade the Peck and Eureka area collection system. This project includes work on four of the five major treatment processes at the treatment plant. The collection system improvements will include an area bounded to the south by Sheridan Drive, to the north by Peck Street, to the west by Meridian Street, and to the east by Fort Street.
In total, the project is estimated to cost $35 million, with construction set to start later this summer. A public meeting is scheduled for April 24 for affected residents in the collection system improvement area.
More: I-500 track to undergo massive renovations before next race
The I-500 track will also see major renovations this year to help make the track a usable venue in the spring and summer.
The project will see new roads and a parking lot added to the track area. The upgrades also include new vendor buildings and general building renovations.
Local funds equaling $513,000 will match an Economic Development Authority grant. The work is expected to create or retain 50 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
Construction documents will be ready for bid later this year with construction anticipated in fall 2025.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Sault prepares for major construction projects this spring and summer
