Consumers Energy has resumed construction of its Cross Winds Energy Park in Tuscola County as warm weather returns to Michigan.
"Consumers Energy and its contractors are committed to building Cross Winds Energy Park in the safest manner possible. Safety is our No. 1 priority. A key part of our commitment to safety is openly communicating about construction activity that residents may encounter," said John Bulloch, project manager for Cross Winds Energy Park for Consumers Energy.
Akron and Columbia Township residents are receiving a "safety alert" postcard from Consumers Energy. The company urges motorists to be alert for construction traffic in these townships and throughout Tuscola County since many construction materials are coming from suppliers located in Michigan's Thumb, southeastern Michigan and other parts of the state.
Following agreements with the Tuscola County Road Commission, the project includes necessary maintenance, repair and upgrades to several area roads needed for transporting wind turbine components and other construction related materials.
Barton Malow of Southfield, Mich. is the lead contractor for the Cross Winds facility, and will focus on construction of access drives, turbine foundations and electrical systems this spring. Wind turbine components are scheduled to arrive at the Cross Winds site by mid-summer.
About 150 construction jobs will be created during Cross Winds construction. The facility will include 62 wind turbines, with a capacity of 105 megawatts when it begins generating renewable energy for Consumers Energy customers, scheduled for late 2014.
