Worth the Wait

By: Chelsea Good


A Union Township road construction project 40 years in the making has finally been completed. Barrels and barricades were moved aside and traffic flowed Monday evening at the intersection of Isabella Road and U.S. 127 Business Route south of Mt. Pleasant.

According to The Morning Sun, the connection between the two roadways was originally proposed when U.S. 127 Business Route was built in 1962.

Isabella Road was also widened and repaved from Broomfield Road to Bluegrass Road as a part of the project.

Construction was kick-started in 2005 when the state committed $1 million dollars to the project, as reported by The Morning Sun. The state gave an additional $375,000 in 2006 for the widening of Isabella Road.

Another $500,000 came from the Michigan Department of Transportation economic development funds, and Union Township’s contribution of $500,000 rounded out the budget, according to The Morning Sun.

While the improvements were necessary, the construction was inconvenient for those that live and work in the vicinity of Isabella Road. Many people had to find alternative routes to class and work.

Todd Betzold, a CMU student who lives in Jamestown apartments, was frustrated with the construction and is glad the road has re-opened. “Having Isabella Road closed wasn't fun at all. It made it so hard to get to Bluegrass Road, where a lot of my friends live. I don't have to take detours now, which is so much more convenient”, said Betzold.

Betzold is not alone in his feelings of relief that the construction is over. Many Union Township residents and Central Michigan University students are thrilled to see the completion of this project. Now that Isabella Road is open, wider and freshly paved, people are able to get where they need to go more easily and efficiently.

CMU student Michael McArthur also lives in Jamestown apartments. He is enjoying the new and improved Isabella Road. “Now that it is re-opened I love it,” explained McArthur, who said he will also benefit from the new connection of Isabella Road and U.S. 127. “I also love how I will be able to exit off highway 127 and just take Isabella home instead of having to go all the way around.”