As we reported in a previous article, the bridge removal is part of a sweeping $8.5 million state park renovation, funded via the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Upgrades include a new park entrance, at-grade pedestrian crossings with a traffic signal planned to replacing the bridge, a relocated headquarters, and improved sanitation services. The campground will stay closed through the end of the 2026 season.

Bridge rebuild?

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Despite earlier plans to permanently replace the bridge with surface-level crossings only, community pushback and political advocacy have shifted DNR public stance on the issue. Grand Traverse County commissioners passed a unanimous resolution urging preservation and local politicians pleaded with the DNR to change its mind.

DNR Director Scott Bowen has announced plans to pursue an ADA-compliant pedestrian bridge at a new location. However, the project does not yet have confirmed funding, and the selected site must avoid interfering with visibility of a newly installed traffic signal.

Finding suitable land for a new bridge will require coordination with local governments and property holders. There are also questions about the usefulness of the bridge if it is not located on park property where campers would be able to access it.

What’s next?

Community members await a scheduled meeting between legislators, township officials, and the DNR in about a month to chart next steps. The DNR must secure funding – estimated around $7 million in recent reassessments, down from earlier $20 million estimates – to make the project a reality. A proposed insurance claim following the recent crash may offset some costs.

Until then, the future of a new pedestrian bridge remains in limbo. With funding uncertain, location challenges unresolved, and safety concerns top of mind, the community waits and watches as a once-prized overpass becomes a casualty of construction plans and competing priorities.