This week is one of the last opportunities for the public to voice their concerns over County Road 595
MARQUETTE -- This week is one of the last opportunities for the public to voice their concerns over County Road 595 with open houses. That's the controversial Marquette County backwoods road that will connect the Kennecott Eagle Mine to the Humboldt Mill. The events kicked off Tuesday night and will continue Wednesday at the Ishpeming Township Hall from 12-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.
The Marquette County Road Commission plans to finalize its proposal for the new road by the end of the month. Federal agencies rejected the original route to the Kennecott Mine, which was known as Woodland Road, but after a number of pit stops, CR 595 looks like it's back on schedule.
The road commission announced that they will be fine tuning the proposed route at their September 19 Board meeting, based on this week's public recommendations.
"We're trying to take the public comment and see what kind of issues the public has with our current plan," said Marquette County Road Commission Engineer Manager, Jim Iwanicki.
Based on that public comment, the board plans to either submit or delay their application to regulatory agencies or step away from the project.
The nearly 24-mile road has been a point of contention since its inception. Some say it'll provide mining and logging trucks a route, away from homes, businesses and traffic, from northern Marquette County to Humboldt Township. Others claim it's an environmental threat and a waste of valuable dollars.
"Money should be used for maintaining existing roads instead of building new roads that we then have to maintain, and we'll have the same problems of shortages and not enough money to go around," said Marquette resident, Jon Saari.
No decision has been made as to how to pay for the $60-$100 million project. The state, already dealing with a tight budget, may pay for part of it, but Kennecott Eagle minerals will likely pay for most of it.
Regardless, state Senator Tom Casperson says the project is worth every penny. It will foster a healthy economy.
"We can talk all day about the cost and whatever it’s worth it or not," said Casperson. "When you look at the impact with jobs, I think we have to take a serious look at this."
The public has until September 6 to email their comments for consideration by the road commission. You can email your comments and concerns to lbrogan@marqroad.org by September 6.
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