ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Last summer, the City of Escanaba started a major construction project throughout the downtown. The next phase of the project is set to be completed this year.
In 2025, the City reconstructed Ludington Street from 2nd through 6th Streets, along with select side streets. In 2026, work will resume on 6th Street, continue to 9th, and potentially go on even farther.
“We have high hopes of going from 9th through 16th, if everything goes as we hope,” said Escanaba Water and Wastewater Superintendent Jeff Lampi. “All the work would be mandated to be completed by September 14.”
The full extent of the work is dependent on funding.
“We’re not 100% sure that the funding is going to carry us from 9th to 16th yet,” Lampi said. “We are currently bidding it. We’re still very hopeful that the grant money will cover that. We are certain from 6th to 9th Street. It’s already contracted and agreed upon.”
Residents are currently seeing and utilizing the results of last year’s construction between 2nd and 6th Streets. Lampi says this year’s work will be more of the same.
“Full water main replacement, sanitary sewer, storm,” he said. “A complete streetscape restoration, just like the other portion. We would intend to go from 9th to 10th on the full scope of streetscape, and then everything past 10th would be reduced sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and lead service line replacements, with minimized curb and sidewalk issues.”
Still in development are plans that aim to benefit cyclists and help motorists find places to leave their cars while they visit downtown businesses.
“There’s supposed to be a bike lane,” Lampi said. “They’re supposed to add some parking. Handicap parking will be tweaked a little bit too. I think everyone’s going to be excited and happy when it’s done.”
It will involve a lot of coordination between the City’s utility departments and some detours around the construction areas. However, Lampi says it will be worth any inconveniences in the long run.
“I expect the residents of Escanaba will be overwhelmed with joy on what we get at the end of this project, despite it going to be very chaotic and disruptive on Ludington Street,” he said. “I just hope they’re patient with the construction that’s coming.”
Crews are set to begin construction once the winter frost clears.
