An Upper Peninsula road that skirts Lake Superior will close this summer to replace a bridge and restore fish habitat, officials said this week.
H-58, a mostly gravel road paralleling Lake Superior between Deer Park and Grand Marais is closing at the Sucker River, about 6 miles east of Grand Marais, to replace a culvert on the river with a new bridge, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said.
The road often serves as a northern route between Grand Marais and Tahquamenon Falls. Drivers who wish to remain on paved roads must take a route that travels south to M-28, and through Newberry and Seney.
What to know about the summer closure on H-58.
When will the road close?
The DNR said the road will close starting June 2 and remain closed for 12-15 weeks.
The H-58 project is slated to be completed by Sept. 30, 2025, the DNR said.
Is all of H-58 closed?
No, the road is only closed at the Sucker River where work is taking place. Drivers can use the rest of the road, and others in the area.
Why is H-58 closing?
The Alger County Road Commission, DNR, Great Lakes Fishery Commission and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are partnering for a project to replace a twin culvert at the river crossing with a “freestanding” bridge.
The H-58 crossing on the Sucker River currently consists of two “perched” 8-foot culverts that are a barrier to native fish species such as suckers and brook trout, but only a partial barrier to the invasive sea lamprey, the DNR said.
Over the past six years, Michigan DNR Fisheries Division has collaborated with United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Alger County Road Commission, and Superior Watershed Partnership to secure funding and design a free-span arch culvert to replace the perched undersized culverts.
“By improving this crossing with a river channel spanning structure, an additional 115 miles of river will now be available to native fish species passage and natural stream functions will be restored,” the DNR said.
Will any steps be take to stop lamprey from using the river?
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission has funded a seasonal sea lamprey barrier to be installed 18 miles upstream from the H-58 crossing to prevent any access by sea lamprey to premium spawning habitat and difficult-to-treat areas.
The sea lamprey barrier will be constructed in 2026.
How much will the bridge project cost?
The H-58 project has been funded through Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act, Great Lakes Fishery Trust, Great Lake Restoration Initiative, Michigan DNR Fisheries Habitat Grant, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Sustain Our Great Lakes.
The H-58 project will cost $2.35 million.
What roads can I use instead of H-58?
The official detour around the construction, all on paved roads, from Grand Marais is south on M-77 to M-28, then east on M-28 to M-123. The route then is north on M-123 through Newberry to County Road 407, and continuing north to Deer Park near Muskallonge Lake State Park.
An emergency services detour is being developed and will be maintained by the contractor for the project.
Grand Marais to Deer Park via H-58 is about 17 miles. The detour is about 76 miles.
Does H-58 pass Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore?
H-58 does travel along the national lakeshore, but not the section that will close.
Pictured Rocks is to the west of Grand Marais, the section closing is east of the village.
What parks, attractions are along H-58?
Between Grand Marais and Deer Park are several parks and campgrounds, including:
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: H-58 east of Grand Marais closing. Why the UP shortcut won’t be open until fall
Reporting by Dan Basso, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
