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ISHPEMING TWP -- After a year of planning, the Marquette County Road Commission is moving ahead with County Road 595.  It's a new road through western Marquette County connecting Rio Tinto's Kennecott Eagle mine to the Humboldt processing mill.

The road was first proposed as the Woodland Road.  Those plans were rejected by federal agencies.  Even when the new plan for CR 595 was brought up, it was met with outspoken opposition.  But to everyone's surprise, the loudest voices at Monday night's meeting were the road's supporters.

Nearly 100 U.P. loggers, miners and contractors gathered outside the Ishpeming Township Hall in support of CR 595.  They said the road will encourage mining, logging and farming.

"That's what started this country, especially in the U.P.," said Ontonagon contractor, Norman Petska.  "So what I'd like to do is try to help get that back.  That's why we're here."

Inside the meeting, the support continued.

Officials on the local, state and even national levels encouraged the road's approval.  Congressman Dan Benishek signed a letter backing its approval.  Representative Tom Casperson beamed with pride in his district.

"I think you noticed a lot of confidence in the local officials about supporting and wanting this road to keep going, so I'm really convinced that you heard from the people tonight," said Casperson.

The Road Commission also took the time to hear the people in a string of open houses last month.  They made a change to CR 595's route before presenting their final plan this evening.  A stretch of the road was moved west between Rocky Lake and Wolf Lake to protect public interest.

"There was a lot of camp owners and property owners that said they spent a lot of time using the properties to the east of the lake," said Jim Iwanicki, Engineer Manager for the Marquette City Road Commission.

But for some road opponents Monday night, that wasn't enough.

"To people who are opposed to it, basically it's the same project it was before.  It's really discouraging to come here and know that your comments really don't make a difference," said road opponent, Catherine Parker.

The road commission plans to submit their environmental application to the DEQ this month.  Once submitted, they plan to have copies for public review at local libraries and on websites.