Drivers and pedestrians who use Wright Street in Marquette will need to find another route starting Tuesday, Aug. 11, when the city closes the road between Sugarloaf Avenue and Van Evera Avenue for a full reconstruction expected to last about 11 weeks.

The closure affects through traffic for the duration of the project. Local access for residents within the construction zone will remain available but will be limited and intermittent as work progresses, according to a public service announcement the city published Thursday, Aug. 6. That gave residents just five days of advance notice before construction begins.

Oberstar Inc., a Marquette-based contractor, is performing the work. The project scope goes beyond the road surface: crews will also replace all utilities beneath the street, The Mining Journal reported in June. Oberstar is the same firm that completed the East Washington Street crosswalk restoration for the city in May.

City Engineer Mik Kilpela is overseeing the project through the city's Engineering Division, which is itself headquartered at 1100 Wright St., inside the construction zone.

Detour route

The city is directing vehicles around the project area via Sugarloaf Avenue and Presque Isle Avenue north to Hawley Street.

Pedestrians will also be affected. Crews will remove and replace portions of the sidewalk on the north side of Wright Street during construction, so walkers should expect detours of their own and watch for advisory signage in the area.

Timeline and cost

The road is expected to reopen by Friday, Oct. 30. The city has not publicly disclosed the project's cost or funding source.

How to get answers

Residents with questions about the project can contact the City of Marquette Engineering Department at 906-228-0440 or contractor Oberstar Inc. at 906-226-6799.