State Park Seeks Grants To Fund Island Road Improvements

Huron Road on the East Bluff is crumbling and the Mackinac State Park Commission is seeking a grant to repair it and other roads.

Twenty-year-old road surfaces in Mackinac Island State Park are falling apart and to fund repairs, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission is seeking a grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Road work could begin this fall and is estimated to cost less than $250,000.

Huron Road along the East Bluff is disappearing as a thin layer of seal coat deteriorates, and other park roads are also failing.

Director Phil Porter said the park has prioritized nine sites for repairs, including Huron Road, a stretch of Fort Holmes Road from the corner at Garrison Road, part

of Garrison Road in front of the cemeteries, a portion of Cupid's Pathway, a section of Forest Driveway near Lake Shore Boulevard, two short roads at the airport, and Turkey Hill Road.

The Park Commission has worked with Mackinac County Road Commission Manager Craig Kelso to apply for $200,000 in enhancement money for road repairs. The commission also has set aside $48,000 of its own money to meet matching fund requirements for the project, said Mr. Porter.

The commission staff expects to learn sometime this fall if their grant application is successful.

Dennis Cawthorne, chairman of the Mackinac State Historic Parks Commission identified

Transportation Enhancement Program grants are administered by MDOT through county road commissions. The Mackinac County Road Commission agreed to be the fiscal agent for the state park project at its Tuesday, August 22 meeting in St. Ignace.

If the funds are awarded this fall, bids will be sought for the roadwork, said Mr. Porter. Once the work is completed, the Mackinac State Historic Park Commission will be responsible for the continued care and maintenance of the roads.