Road construction now in front of Finlandia in Hancock

This summer the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is reconstructing about a mile of US-41 in Hancock from the Portage Lake Lift Bridge to Lincoln Drive. Late last week the project moved in front of Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center, future College of Health Sciences building and North Wind Books.

It’s expected by the end of this week work will continue on Quincy Street beyond Hoover Center and Old Main to Mine Street. Access to all of those buildings will be made more difficult during the process. Visitors are asked to take an alternative route to campus.

Current Access to Finlandia University

As of August 1, the primary access point is Scott Street, which is currently restricted to only northbound traffic (toward campus from the Canal). From there visitors can take one of the next three rights after Quincy Street to visit campus.

• Franklin Street to access Mannerheim, Nikander and Wargelin Halls from the south, Maki Library, Finnish American Heritage Center and North Wind Books.
• Summit Street to access Nikander or Wargelin Halls from the north, Paavo Nurmi Center from the south and Finlandia Hall.
• Elm Street to access the Paavo Nurmi Center or the Upper Student Parking Lots.

The entire campus can also be reached as usual from White Street just north of campus. Drivers can turn on Ryan Street for easy access to North Wind Books or Finnish American Heritage Center, or Pine Street to Scott Street for access to the rest of campus.

Pedestrian Access

Access to all of campus will be available as usual using the sidewalks on Quincy Street. There may be short periods of time where a sidewalk is unavailable, but the vast majority of the time sidewalks will be accessible. There will be no crossing of Quincy Street at any point where active construction is taking place.

Note: This has been edited. Previously Finlandia was informed that a crosswalk would be created at Mesnard Street. That is no longer the case. 

The first three blocks of Quincy Street are either now accessible via vehicle, or will be shortly. Sidewalks on all of those blocks should also be in their final state soon.

More On Hancock Road Construction

The construction project includes removing and replacing the existing roadway, with drainage improvements. Streetscape work includes decorative street lighting, curb bump-outs and landscape plantings. The City of Hancock will be performing water main and sanitary sewer improvements in addition to MDOT’s project.

Another block party will be hosted on the second or third block of Hancock soon. Like Downtown Hancock on Facebook for more information as it becomes available.

For more updates on the project visit finlandia.edu/hancockconstruction.