IRONWOOD, MI - Sunday, June 08, 2008 - Hydrants, water supplies, fittings and waste lines have been delivered to Alfred Wright Boulevard as the start of the project is set to begin.

Almost 7/10 mile of Alfred Wright Boulevard (AWB) will be completely reconstructed very soon, as school is out for the summer. This complete reconstruction includes: concrete curb, gutter and sidewalk ramps, water main, hot mix asphalt paving, and pavement markings on AWB from Lime Street to McLeod Avenue in the City of Ironwood. The plumbing phase of the project, including water and waste lines, as well as hydrant installation should take roughly three weeks to complete. The project also includes a walking path along the boulevard that has no starting place and no destination. City Manager Scott Erickson hopes, one day, to connect the trail to a city-wide trail system that goes to Norrie Park and to other trails in the works.

Several electric utility poles have to be relocated due to the wide walking trail. Xcel Energy is responsible for moving the line poles -- Xcel customers will be ultimately responsible for paying for these "improvements."

Manager Erickson's job performance is scheduled to be examined in closed session at Monday night's City Commission meeting.

Ross Peterson was named as General Contractor for the AWB project. Ruotsala Concrete Construction will be assisting Peterson with the sidewalks, gutters, etc.

Jim Albert