By Jim Bloch
There are two ways to get to Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan: By water or by air.
If you don’t captain your own boat or fly your own plane, you may take the 32-mile, two+ hour ferry ride northwest out of Charlevoix. Or you can board a compact plane for the 15-to-20-minute flight offered by two aviation services departing from Charlevoix Airport. Island Air flies to the private Welke Airport on the northeast side of Beaver Island. Fresh Air leaves from the same airport but flies into the public Beaver Island Airport on the island’s west side, which is owned by the island’s two townships, Peaine and St. James.
It’s 204 miles as the crow flies from St. Clair County International Airport to Beaver Island Airport.
It does not take much to disrupt these relatively tenuous links to the mainland. High wind can ground the ferry and the flight services. Ferry service ceases Dec. 18-April 8. Snowstorms can mean flight delays.
Add to that list runway work.
Beaver Island Airport closed May 26 for the rehabilitation of runway 9-27, the main east-west runway at the airport and the only paved runway; it is 4.299 feet long and 75 feet wide. The airport’s other two runways are turf.
Ninety-four percent of the funding for the $6 million project came from the Federal Aviation Administration, three percent from the state of Michigan and 1.5 percent from each township.
The month-long closure temporarily put Fresh Air on skids.
“Fresh Air Aviation travelers are encouraged to explore additional transportation options to and from the island during the closure,” said the flight company in an announcement in the monthly newspaper Northern Islander, published by the Beaver Island Historical Society. “Those expecting freight or package deliveries through Fresh Air Aviation should make arrangements in advance. Passengers with existing travel plans during the closure will be contacted to make necessary adjustments.”
The new runway opened to air traffic on June 26, a week later than planned.
“The reopening marks a significant milestone for the airport and the Beaver Island community,” said airport manager Rachel Teague and Phil Wyckoff, Chair Beaver Island Airport Commission, in a press release. “The project represents a major investment in the safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability of the island’s critical transportation infrastructure. In addition to the newly rehabilitated runway, the airport’s runway lighting system will also be fully operational upon reopening.”
The last time the runway was repaved was 2001.
Reith-Riley Construction was the general contractor on the project. Mead & Hunt engineered the work and administered the construction.
“We are incredibly grateful for the commitment shown by everyone involved in bringing this project to completion,” said Teague. “Projects of this magnitude require extensive coordination, problem-solving, and teamwork. Despite challenges encountered along the way, the collective effort of all parties involved has resulted in a greatly improved facility that will serve Beaver Island residents and visitors for years to come.”
Fresh Air joined in the opening celebration.
“The wait is over,” said the flight service on its Facebook page. “We’re excited to welcome our customers back to Beaver Island Airport. The runway repaving project is complete, and we can’t wait to get back to what we do best—connecting Beaver Island with Northern Michigan through safe, reliable air service.”
Teague thanked the island-based Fogg Towing for its “critical logistical assistance, and the many subcontractors, suppliers, transportation providers, and support personnel who contributed to the successful completion of the work.”
Wyckoff credited the project’s success to “strong partnerships and a shared commitment to serving the Beaver Island community.”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
