ONTONAGON, MI - A $550,000 emergency shoreline repair project is set to begin Monday, Aug. 5 on the main entry road to Michigan’s largest state park, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the western Upper Peninsula.

High water levels along Lake Superior and recent storm damage have created an erosion issue that’s now threatening County Road 107, the state said this week. The corridor is not only one of the main access roads into the sprawling 60,000-acre park, it also connects main attractions like Lake of the Clouds and the park’s visitor’s center to M-64 in nearby Silver City.

“Without this main accessway, should a road washout or undermining occur, visitors to the park’s east end may be required to take an 80-mile detour, via west end entry, or be prevented altogether from reaching numerous points of interest,” said Eric Cadeau, a regional field planner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Once known as state highway M-107, the road was transferred to Ontonagon County more than a decade ago. And while the DNR does not normally get involved in local road projects, they are teaming up with the Ontonagon County Road Commission on this one because the road is vital to the park’s visitors.

The repair work will be focused along a portion of the shoreline west of the Union River Bridge. Loads of large riprap stone will be placed on both sides of the bridge deck at the Union River, where it meets Lake Superior, the DNR said. This type of “shoreline armoring” will also be done west of the bridge to protect sections of the county road that is vulnerable to Lake Superior’s seasonal storms.

“This shoreline protection project is an immediate response effort intended to keep wave action and storms from further eroding or undermining the bridge or roadway that collectively serves as the eastern gateway to the park,” Cadeau said. “The DNR Parks and Recreation Division and the Ontonagon County Road Commission have also begun a public engagement and planning process which will help us determine long-term solutions for protecting this invaluable resource.”

County Road 107 will be getting shoreline reinforcement along this section from August through October 2019.

Construction work will continue through October, and motorists will see some single-lane closures.

“The public will be able access the beach and Lake Superior along significant lengths of the county road, but access will not be permitted within the work zone, including at beach areas,” said Mike Maloney, Ontonagon County Road Commission engineer.

Each year, more than 300,000 visitors enjoy the state park affectionately referred to as “The Porkies.” They come for the breathtaking views, the backcountry camping and waterfalls, and even the chance to trek through 35,000 acres of old-growth forest.

This project is just one example of how high water levels in the Great Lakes this summer have led to disappearing beaches, and erosion issues near the shore.

According to the DNR, Lake Superior’s water levels are forecast to be at, or near, record-high levels through April 2020. This particular spot in the Porkies is impacted by Mother Nature even more than others.

“In addition to the high-water levels, County Road 107 is affected by wind and waves traveling from up to 170 miles away, which increases wave energy and heightens erosive impacts on the shoreline and the undermining of the road,” Cadeau said.

While this emergency fix is underway, local and state officials will be working to select a long-term solution.

A report outlining long-term options and cost estimates can be found at Michigan.gov/DNRPublicInput.

The public is being asked for input about these multi-million-dollar options. The Ontonagon County Road Commission will hold a public hearing on them at 10 a.m. on Aug. 14 at Ontonagon Public Schools cafeteria, 701 Parker Ave.

“We want the public to review these long-term options and let us know what solutions, natural features and impacts are important to them,” Maloney said. “The road commission and the DNR have also scheduled two public sessions to discuss the various long-term solution options with the public.”

Later that same day and location, the DNR will hold a meeting to discuss the park’s general management plan. Erosion on County Road 107 is part of that topic, and will be addressed during a breakout session at 6: 45 p.m.

“We encourage the public to attend for an opportunity to review planning materials and provide feedback,” Maloney said. “Public input is a critical part of this planning process.”

Unable to attend but still want your voice heard? Comments on the long-term options for County Road 107 may be sent through Aug. 31 via email to CadeauE@Michigan.gov.