TRAVERSE CITY — A major enhancement project at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park is moving forward with roadwork along U.S. 31 slated to begin next week and continue through mid-to-late October, funded by $8.5 million in federal relief dollars.
According to a Sept. 8 news release, the money is part of a $273 million boost in American Rescue Plan funding that is helping the Michigan Department of Natural Resources address long-standing infrastructure and rehabilitation needs in state parks and trails and build a new state park in Flint.
Planned work at Traverse City State Park aims to modernize facilities, improve traffic flow and expand accessibility. The project includes a redesigned park entrance, a new at-grade pedestrian crossing, a new campground contact station, a relocated park headquarters and an expanded sanitation station. All components meet Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Road work begins Monday, Sept. 15, with preparation to widen U.S. 31 by 20 feet and add a new westbound right-turn lane into the campground to reduce congestion. During construction, a northern lane shift will remove the middle turn lane while maintaining two lanes of traffic in both directions.
Removal of the existing pedestrian bridge is scheduled overnight from 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. A signed detour will route drivers via Three and Four Mile roads to Hammond Road. After the bridge is taken down, crews will remove the stairs and remaining structure in two stages, using a southern lane shift that also eliminates the middle turn lane but keeps two lanes open eastbound and westbound.
The DNR said it is working with state partners, the local community and legislators — including Rep. Betsy Coffia, Rep. John Roth and Sen. John Damoose — to identify land and funding for a new ADA-compliant pedestrian bridge. Funding for a replacement is not in the current DNR budget.
The park’s modern campground closed July 7, 2025, and will remain closed through the 2026 season. It is scheduled to reopen April 1, 2027. The Lake Michigan beach day-use area is expected to stay open, though visitors should anticipate occasional closures for intersection work.
Project details and a construction timeline are available at Michigan.gov/TraverseCity. For more information, contact Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor, at 231-922-5270 or RosinskiS@Michigan.gov.