MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – This week Marquette began the Lakeshore Drive Restoration Project.
Several years ago Lakeshore Drive between Pine Street and Hawley Street was repaved further away from the shore due to erosion making the original road unsafe.
The new 18-month 5.8 million dollar project will fully remove the old road, add a boardwalk, and a new walkable cobblestone revetment, a structure to prevent erosion, to make the area safe for recreation.
Mikael Kilpela, an engineer for the City of Marquette, said though the project is a large undertaking, it’s well worth the effort.
“It’s an opportunity to take a blighted area and turn it into something that’s an asset to the city,” said Kilpela. “A fully restored shoreline that the public can access.”
Kilpela also reminds anyone walking or biking on the path along Lakeshore Drive to be mindful of trucks moving to and from the worksite, and to stay outside of the fenced off area.