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MDOT looks for buried treasure in Hillman along banks of Thunder Bay River
Contact: Bob Felt, MDOT Office of Communications, 989-619-7963
Agency: Transportation
June 21, 2007 -- During the week of June 25, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) crews will perform an archeological dig in Hillman along the banks of the Thunder Bay River. This area will eventually be the site of a temporary bridge (including approaches) which will be constructed immediately to the west of the M-32 Business Spur. The temporary bridge is necessary to carry traffic during the construction of the new bridge being planned for the near future.
MDOT has determined that archaeological work will need to be performed on the west side of the road (on both the north and south banks) prior to construction of the temporary bridge to test for buried archaeological resources. The actual number and location of backhoe trenches required will be determined in the field, but will probably range from six to eight in all. The work will be done with MDOT archaeologists in the field, who will consult with colleagues.
To date, MDOT is not aware of any known sites within the project area. However, due to repeated flooding over thousands of years, there is always the potential to discover archaeological sites buried as much as several feet below the current ground surface. Mechanical excavation with a backhoe will allow archaeologists to dig much deeper (up to 12 to14 feet) than could be done with shovels alone. All of the trenches will be backfilled the same day they are excavated.
The historic camelback bridge on M-32 in Hillman is expected to be replaced in 2009 or 2010, once all of the technical processes are completed. The village of Hillman is located approximately 23 miles west of Alpena in Montmorency County.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9620_11057-170752--,00.html
MDOT looks for buried treasure in Hillman along banks of Thunder Bay River
Contact: Bob Felt, MDOT Office of Communications, 989-619-7963
Agency: Transportation
June 21, 2007 -- During the week of June 25, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) crews will perform an archeological dig in Hillman along the banks of the Thunder Bay River. This area will eventually be the site of a temporary bridge (including approaches) which will be constructed immediately to the west of the M-32 Business Spur. The temporary bridge is necessary to carry traffic during the construction of the new bridge being planned for the near future.
MDOT has determined that archaeological work will need to be performed on the west side of the road (on both the north and south banks) prior to construction of the temporary bridge to test for buried archaeological resources. The actual number and location of backhoe trenches required will be determined in the field, but will probably range from six to eight in all. The work will be done with MDOT archaeologists in the field, who will consult with colleagues.
To date, MDOT is not aware of any known sites within the project area. However, due to repeated flooding over thousands of years, there is always the potential to discover archaeological sites buried as much as several feet below the current ground surface. Mechanical excavation with a backhoe will allow archaeologists to dig much deeper (up to 12 to14 feet) than could be done with shovels alone. All of the trenches will be backfilled the same day they are excavated.
The historic camelback bridge on M-32 in Hillman is expected to be replaced in 2009 or 2010, once all of the technical processes are completed. The village of Hillman is located approximately 23 miles west of Alpena in Montmorency County.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9620_11057-170752--,00.html
