Red Arrow Highway to be rebuilt between Stevensville, Cook Plant this summer

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution accepting federal funding for the reconstruction of Red Arrow Highway between Stevensville and the Cook nuclear power plant this year.

Berrien County Road Department Managing Director Mark Heyliger tells us once the work is complete, Red Arrow Highway will have one lane of travel in each direction and a center turn lane all the way from Bridgman to Stevensville. The project will also add a pedestrian path all the way from the city of Bridgman to Stevensville. Heyliger says the plan has had people talking.

“I get a mix of comments about it,” Heyliger said. “Some absolutely don’t like it, don’t want it, and some do want it and look forward to the idea of being able to ride their bike or walk with their family alongside Red Arrow Highway and just enjoy what the lakeside community has to offer.”

The groundwork for that pedestrian path between Bridgman and the Cook plant was laid during last year’s construction, but now the path will be completed this year the whole way.

By the time all is done, Red Arrow Highway will be smooth and safe to drive. Heyliger says construction will likely start in the late summer, and it couldn’t be too soon.

“It’s definitely needed. Anybody who’s driven that stretch of road can tell very easily that that treatment is needed there.”

The project’s total cost is expected to be $6.7 million, with just under $4.1 million covered by federal funding and the county contributing about $2.2 million.

Heyliger also notes this project will replace the traffic signal in front of the Cook plant, one of the most outdated in the county, with a modern signal. The Cook plant is paying for it.

A public meeting on the project will be held in Lincoln Township once MDOT has approved the road department’s plans.