Photos: M-26 at South Range 2006 (Southbound)
A new alignment for M-26 was constructed during the 2006 construction season between Trimountain and downtown South Range in Houghton Co, southwest of the City of Houghton. The new alignment features one long, sweeping curve and eliminates eight turns or curves—one of them an "S-curve"—including a 90° turn in downtown South Range. This set of photos was taken in the southbound direction on May 29, 2006 (also see the accompanying northbound page) showing both the state of the construction on that date as well as documenting the existing M-26 alignment to be obliterated by MDOT once the new route is completed.
Southbound on M-26 entering the Village of South Range in central Houghton
Co. The earthworks visible in the far distance in the center of photo
mark the northern end of the M-26 relocation project. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used
in any manner without prior written permission.
Heading southbound in downtown South Range, M-26 makes the first of eight turns,
this one a 90° turn from Baltic Ave onto Trimountain Ave. Visible on
the left side of the photo is the new alignment of M-26 heading up the hill
south of South Range (see next two photos). Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in
any manner without prior written permission.
Looking due southerly down the new alignment of M-26 from the corner of Baltic
Ave & Trimountain Ave in downtown South Range. The first two blocks of the
rerouted M-26 follow existing Baltic Ave—transferred to state control
and completely rebuilt—showing up in the lighter gravel color here.
Beyond that, the darker colored earthworks denote the new alignment for M-26
up the hill south of town. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in
any manner without prior written permission.
A close-up of the new alignment of M-26 south of South Range, as seen
in the previous photo above. The South Range VFW hall is on the right. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used
in any manner without prior written permission.
A westerly view along southbound M-26 on Trimountain Ave in downtown South
Range, looking toward the South Range Elementary School in the distance.
Also in the distance at left is a bank temperature sign (unreadable at this
resolution) which reads 90°F—a
rather warm day for May 29 in the U.P.! Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in
any manner without prior written permission.
Westerly on Trimountain Ave in South Range along southbound M-26 approaching
the turn at Globe Ave at the South Range Elementary School. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in
any manner without prior written permission.
View along southbound M-26 leaving South Range. This is the longest straightaway
along the existing route of M-26 between South Range and Trimountain,
one mile distant. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used
in any manner without prior written permission.
M-26 southbound at the end of the straightaway leaving South Range at the first
set of curves encountered after leaving the village. This highway will be
abandoned and obliterated. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in
any manner without prior written permission.
View of an S-curve along southbound M-26 between South Range and Trimountain.
This highway will be
abandoned and obliterated. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in
any manner without prior written permission.
M-26 southbound approaching the hamlet of Trimountain. The new alignment
of M-26 joins the existing highway in the center of this photo from
the left (east) side of the photo. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in any
manner without prior written permission.
Southbound M-26 entering Trimountain (note sign at right). The disturbed earth
on the right side of the highway marks the southernmost extremity of the
relocation project. Compare this photo with the first one on the northbound
photos page. Photo ©2006
by Christopher J. Bessert. All Rights Reserved. Photos may not be used in
any manner without prior written permission.
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