Navigating the Tunnel of Trees This Fall

Two detours still in effect after spring storms

Savvy leaf peepers know that Emmet County’s famous 22-mile Tunnel of Trees (M-119) is one of the best autumn experiences in the Midwest, and a bucket list adventure for many of Michigan’s fall foliage faithful.

While that beloved, time-tested route is still a viable option this year, travelers should be aware of a few lingering problems—and accompanying detours—which resulted from extreme weather back in April and June.

The Aftermath

Heavy spring rain events, coupled with quick snow melt, created torrents that led to major washouts of the state-managed M-119 between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. In all, these historic weather events resulted in seven washouts or road closures, cutting off businesses and residents alike, until detours were established.

In each instance, high-volume water flow and/or culvert failures eroded land near or beneath roads or simply washed away pavement and shoulder material as it moved over the surface.

Immediately after the weather passed, workers from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Emmet County Road Commission launched into damage assessment mode, tallying closures and, in some instances, evacuating cut-off residents. The Tunnel of Trees was effectively chopped into pieces, with MDOT routing traffic along interior county roads.

Work to restore the other connections began shortly after the weather cleared, and continued throughout summer. MDOT announced section re-openings as repairs were finished.

An April culvert collapse and slope failure south of Division Road, between Good Hart and Cross Village, has been the most problematic. The closure is between Division and Pike roads. In that area, the road is only about 18 feet wide and has no center line, both factors that complicate repairs, according to MDOT.

To the south, the Tunnel is also still closed between Stutsmanville and Terpening roads, another project slated for completion next year.

Rebuilding

Before it’s over, MDOT will have put millions into restoring the Tunnel of Trees—something the organization has done in the past as well. According to MDOT’s North Region spokesman, James Lake, M-119 is anything but a typical Michigan road. He says the Tunnel of Trees likely began as a Native American pathway that evolved, was added to, and improved over the years.

“Today, we likely would not build this highway where it is now—almost certainly not—with most of it perched on sandy bluffs,” Lake says. “History shows that this road has undergone many iterations and upgrades. It’s very well-suited for the lower traffic volumes it sees, but not the extreme weather we’ve had the last few years.”

Lake says area residents and business owners have been irritated by the repair work’s seemingly slow pace.

“We know it’s a source of frustration that these closed sections haven’t been repaired yet, and we don’t have a firm timeline,” he says. “The reasons for that are multiple. We need to make sure we have a clear and complete understanding of remaining conditions in those locations. Then we will design a repair that takes those conditions into account, and will stand the test of time. These repairs will run in the millions, so if we’re going to invest that amount of money, it needs to be something that will last.”

Lake opined that it’s “fairly likely” that extreme weather episodes will continue. Hence, he says MDOT is taking additional measures to gird state roadways against future events.

After all, the Tunnel of Trees was not the only casualty of last spring’s floods. Sections of M-88 and M-66 in Antrim County suffered similar damage. He also pointed to an M-119 slope failure near Harbor Springs a few years back.

“In locations where we’re aware the road is more susceptible to washouts and erosion, [MDOT] can armor the roadside with larger stone, geotextile fabrics, and retaining walls,” Lake says. “All along that 20-mile route, we’ve had problems with erosion for many years.

“Even the more populated areas of M-119 are still susceptible to this kind of damage,” he continues. “In the process of studying the entire corridor, not only do we look at these problem spot locations, we also try to identify other potential problem areas. We look at short-term erosion damage all the way up to long-term. We want to make those repairs before they become actual washouts and roadway failures.”

Lake says MDOT is always looking at susceptible areas and trying to armor those locations. But, he says last spring’s extreme rain events were impossible to predict.

Respect the Closures

In spite of these struggles, the Tunnel of Trees still has plenty to offer leaf peepers. Lake says there’s still 20 miles of open Tunnel to explore, though he cautions explorers about road closures.

“Motorists are able to access the closed sections to reach businesses or residences,” he explains. “However, the roads are firmly closed to through traffic, and testing the closures is not advised. Those not patronizing a business or visiting a residence are discouraged from accessing closed sections. Likewise, hikers and other people exploring on foot should stay out of closed sections.”

According to Lake, residents in the closed areas have complained about motorists using their private driveways as turn-around points, once they realize they can’t go on. He said other motorists have become stuck trying to turn around in very narrow places.

“Closed sections represent a good turning off point for detour routes. We’ve worked with the Emmet County Road Commission to identify easy-to-use detour routes around closed sections. We encourage motorists to use the detours.”

To learn more and see detour routes, visit m119tunneloftrees.org.

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