Cleveland-Cliffs Butler Works is looking to expand its facility as part of an upgrade to its hot mill production. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

BUTLER TWP — Representatives from Cleveland-Cliffs presented a $195 million upgrade plan for the current Butler Works facility’s steel processing line.

At a Butler Township Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, Civil & Environmental Consultants’ project manager Rachel Upadhyay walked township officials through the extent of the plan.

While commissioners ultimately tabled the land development application until further conversations can be had, Upadhyay said the project’s intended operational date is set for July 2028.

“This project, when implemented and operational, will improve product quality, lower production costs and increase the Butler Works’ competitive edge with both global and emerging domestic suppliers,” she explained to the commission.

The project features an expansion on the current hot mill as well as the construction of several structures around the property, including three electrical substations. However, the expansion of the hot mill will push its walls closer to Bessemer Avenue.

“The intent of the location of this is really relative to the existing facility operations. These furnaces have to be located here in order for the current process to continue to be cohesive,” Upadhyay said.

The project includes a concrete-face retaining wall that will hold back the nearby hillside and Bessemer Avenue. The current design uses soil nails — reinforcements inserted into the hillside — to support it.

But concerns were raised by the township and Gateway Engineers regarding the wall’s nails, as they would run underneath Bessemer Avenue.

Township solicitor Rebecca Black suggested some agreement regarding liability, especially long term, may need to be signed and noted as part of the plan.

“I’m concerned about them being under the road we are currently responsible for and that we maintain. In the event that something would happen, we don’t want the township to be on the hook for that,” Black said.

Upadhyay said the group of engineers working with Cleveland-Cliffs would meet with Gateway Engineers to help hash out any concerns, especially with the soil nails.