PM Highway railroad crossing to undergo construction — again.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — More construction will be taking place at the railroad crossing over Pere Marquette Highway south of Sixth Street in the next couple of weeks. Earlier this month the crossing was reconstructed after years of deterioration. The completed work, though, resulted in a dip in the road at the crossing, causing a potential traffic hazard, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole.

Cole said he received a complaint from a local resident and decided to drive the road himself. “I approached it at the posted speed limit, 45 mph, and was quite surprised by how rough it was,” Cole said, adding that he continued driving to the Pere Marquette Township hall where he had a discussion with township supervisor Paul Keson.

Keson said he has received multiple complaints from residents and the topic was discussed at this week’s township board meeting. Keson contacted Del Kirkby, transportation service manager with Michigan Department of Transportation Cadillac Service Group. Kirkby responded immediately and let advised Keson that MDOT also was unhappy with the project.

The project was contracted out by MDOT to a railroad construction contractor.

“Their correction plan is to mill and surface Pere Marquette Highway to make the road match the track as tearing out and redoing the new track wouldn’t necessarily improve the ride quality as much as we would all hope,” Kirkby explained to Keson in an email. “The contractor is contacting paving contractors to perform this work at the contractor’s expense. They understand the urgency of this work and will make every attempt to pave it yet this fall. When this work is performed, the MDOT will have inspection staff on site to ensure road ride quality is improved.”

Cole said the work is expected to be completed by Nov. 15. Motorists should be aware of possible traffic delays in that area.