Heading into a new construction season, drivers are being reminded of two resurfacing projects planned along Red Arrow Highway in Berrien County this year.
The Berrien County Road Department’s Adri Boone tells us not only is the road being resurfaced between Berrien Street and Lakeshore Road in Chikaming Township, but there’s also going to be work between the Bridgman city limits and just south of the Cook plant in Lake Township. She says this is all part of a long-term plan to get all of Red Arrow Highway in good condition throughout the county.
“Our agency has been working basically with the goal of a 10-year plan to have all portions of the county network in good condition for Red Arrow Highway, seeing as it is so vast, stretching all the way from New Buffalo all the way exiting our county,” Boone said.
Boone says it will take time, but they’ll eventually get there.
The work between Bridgman and the Cook plant this coming construction season will see the road reduced from four travel lanes down to two travel lanes with a center turn lane.
“Which does properly suit the road structure for the flow of traffic it sees, keeping in mind Red Arrow Highway was built before I-94 existed in the area, so it has changed in the capacity requirements necessary year-round.”
A roadside trail is also planned as part of the work. Berrien County Commissioner Alex Ott said last week he’s been taking some complaints from business owners in Lake Township who are concerned about what the construction will mean for their busy season. He said he may call for a town hall, although nothing has been scheduled and there already was one back in October.
Boone says the Chikaming Township work gets underway this month, while the start date for the Lake Township work has not yet been announced but will be this year.
