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OCP file photo by Rob Alway
Story by Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The portion of M 20 that has been closed to traffic since March 9 when construction of a $2.6 million tunnel project began will re-open Friday, May 15, at 8 a.m., according to the Oceana County Road Commission.
The approximate 76-foot-long tunnel underneath M 20 will allow pedestrians and tram traffic to safely cross the road from the south parking lot to Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo.
The portion of 68th Avenue between M 20 and Arthur Road that has been closed during the project will also be re-opened Friday, according to OCRC.
The tunnel portion of the project is expected to be completed in August. Pedestrians will use the west side of the 24-foot-wide wide tunnel, and tram traffic — tractors hauling farm visitors in trailers — will utilize the east side with a fence dividing the two lanes.
“It will be some time before the pedestrian and tram parts are open, because there is some lead time on the materials, like the fencing and electrical,” said OCRC Managing Director Mark Timmer.
A special allocation obtained from the State of Michigan by Senator Jon Bumstead is funding the project. “It’s completely funded by a special assessment from Senator Jon Bumstead,” said OCRC County Highway Engineer Cole Shafer.
Plans had been in the works for the project several months prior to the tragic traffic death of Lewis farms owner Cindy Lewis last July. A traffic impact study of the area was completed two years ago, said Shafer.
OCP file photo by Rob Alway
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