They're voicing concerns about excessive noise from increased traffic.
Read more: Local, Business, Community, News, Mcclellan Avenue, Road Construction, Mayor John Kivela, Wright Street, Mcclellan Avenue Extension
MARQUETTE -- When it's complete, the McClellan Avenue Extension will give drivers a direct route north to Wright Street. It sounds ideal, but some area residents are worried.
Twelve years ago when Brian Olson moved to 1881 South McClellan, the road ended right next to his house at Pioneer. Since then, it's been extended south, and he claims because of the increase in traffic, his property has lost 10 percent of its value, according to his most recent appraisal.
"I think rerouting the traffic through that area is going to be a real nuisance for them. It is going to affect their lifestyle and affect their property values down the road," said Olson.
Tony Ombrello has lived at 1175 North McClellan for 39 years. Back then, the road ended at Elm. He said he already sees heavier traffic on his stretch of the road.
"It's getting worse as time goes on. We're getting more traffic around the city. I'm not totally happy with it, but I've learned to live with it over the years," said Ombrello.
But on the flipside, Mayor John Kivela says that extending McClellan will actually improve Marquette's traffic situation.
"The more options that you give them, the less abuse there is for one particular neighborhood or street. And that's what we're trying to accomplish is to give them another viable north/south road," said Kivela.
Neighbors are also worried about the noise pollution that might be caused by increased truck traffic on McClellan Avenue.
"Noise more than anything. With me it is, anyway. The trucks are noisy, especially at nighttime," Ombrello said.
The mayor has an answer for that concern as well. Newly paved roads mean less noise.
"The biggest factor with noise is surface imperfections, and we know that. Resurfacing a bunch of streets in the past two years in Marquette has reduced our complaints considerably," Kivela offered.
The city hopes to start work on the McClellan Avenue Extension in the spring of 2011.
