Speeds up to 40 mph may soon be permitted on the Breitung Township section of Breitung Avenue under a Michigan State Police recommendation the township board approved Monday. This 35 mph sign is posted at Fisher Street heading west. (Jim Anderson/Daily News photo)

QUINNESEC — A speed limit increase to 40 mph will likely take effect about a month from now on Breitung Avenue west of the Kingsford city limits in Breitung Township.

The Kingsford section of the road will remain at 25 mph, including at the north entrance to the Grede foundry.

The Breitung Township Board approved the change Monday after a discussion with Jim Harris, managing director of the Dickinson County Road Commission.

“The flow of the traffic is 40 mph,” Harris said, referencing a speed study conducted through Michigan State Police. West of Taft Street, on what is commonly known as Breitung Cutoff Road, the speed limit will stay at its current 55 mph, he noted.

As a result of the study — and the recommendation from MSP — the township could choose to post the Breitung Avenue speed limit at 40 mph, or allow 55 mph, he said.

Currently, the speed limit is 25 mph for about two blocks west of the Kingsford city limit to Fisher Street, where it increases to 35 mph extending to Taft Street.

Harris noted that lower speed limits aren’t necessarily safer and speed limits sometimes rise as a result of traffic studies. The 40 mph recommendation is the 85th percentile speed — or the speed at or below which 85% of drivers travel on the road segment, he explained.

Township Supervisor Denny Olson said the current 25 mph section might be considered a “speed trap” by some, but added that a 40 mph limit could be introduced with strict enforcement.

The township board accepted the MSP recommendation without dissent.

Harris said the next step is approval from the road commission, which next meets July 14, after which the new limits would be posted.

In December 2024, under a traffic control order issued by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the speed limit was increased from 25 mph to 35 mph on Carpenter Avenue in Iron Mountain. The traffic study that led to that change also resulted in a speed limit increase to 40 mph on Carpenter Avenue/M-95 in Kingsford from Hamilton Avenue to Breen Avenue, up from 35 mph.

In other action, the Breitung Township Board:

— During public comment, heard Mike Bronzyk, the township’s hearing officer, question the board’s efficiency. The township has been operating more than six months without a superintendent and staff morale is low while working short-handed, he said.

— Also during public comment, heard Julia Miller, administrative assistant-enforcement clerk, repeat concerns presented at a June 8 meeting regarding her increased duties in the absence of a superintendent and the lack of an update or action.

— Received an update from Public Works Superintendent Jay Davis on installation of a backup power system for the Township Hall in Quinnesec. B & B Electric of Iron Mountain was awarded a bid of $84,744 on May 11 and a change order was approved May 26 for an additional $1,373 for concrete-filled steel bollards for generator protection. Davis reported that an additional natural gas meter will now be needed to accommodate the generator installation, which led board members to question whether the engineer’s request for proposals was sufficient.

— According to meeting minutes, in a 3-2 vote last month approved a $25,000 contribution to the second phase of the Lake Antoine Park Partners Everyone Plays! project. The non-profit hopes to raise $100,000 by Sept. 30 to complete its accessible playground project at Lake Antoine Park at an estimated cost of $150,000. Voting yes were Olson and trustees Brent Johnson and Michael Day. Voting no were trustees Ben Peterson and Sharon Reuter. Clerk Hannah Chrivia and Treasurer Heather Lieburn were excused from the May 26 session. The minutes indicate planned talks with the Dickinson County Board on where Breitung Township fits in with the county park.

— Noted that the township’s participation in Independence Day parades in Iron Mountain-Kingsford and Norway will include the fire department’s new CF Moto UFORCE side-by-side. After a review of bids, the vehicle was purchased last month from Redline Sport and Marine of Norway for $37,154 with quoted specifications. Cargo components are being acquired from Redline for $12,108. The township’s Model A antique fire truck will also be featured in the parades.

— Has approved a $1,000 contribution to Sons of American Legion Squadron 50 of Iron Mountain for the July 4 fireworks display at Millie Hill in Iron Mountain.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.