UP Gazette

The City of Ishpeming has issued a public statement addressing the ongoing construction work that has affected residents, drivers, and businesses throughout the current season. City officials acknowledged the disruptions and expressed gratitude to the community for their patience.

According to the city, many of the recent construction projects have taken longer than initially planned. Contractors have encountered very old underground infrastructure, including water, sewer, and storm systems that date back several decades. The city noted that detailed records of these systems are not always available, leading crews to face unexpected conditions that must be resolved before continuing with scheduled work.

The statement explained that replacing these utility systems is a phased process. "Contractors need to complete work on water lines before moving on to sewer and storm systems, which means the same streets may be reopened multiple times during the process," city officials said.

City representatives emphasized that these improvements are important investments in Ishpeming’s future. "Updating our underground systems today will reduce emergency repairs, improve service reliability, and strengthen our city’s infrastructure for years to come," they stated.