(WWJ) Heavy rain in Northern Michigan has led to the washout of a main road that many people drive as part of the Tunnel of Trees — a popular tourist spot.
Photos released by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) on Monday show a section of M-119 in Emmet County (M-119 south of Division Road) completely gone.
A second area is also closed because a slope near the road has washed away, M-119 near Stutsmanville Road south of Good Hart. Traffic is detoured on West Stutsmanville Road and Terpening Road, as a precaution.
This is north of Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
It's unclear how long these areas will be closed. MDOTs James Lake said they're still investigating and evaluating the situation before they can develop a repair plan. This will take some time.
In the meantime, MDOT has partnered with the Emmet County Road Commission to establish a detour route on Island View Road and North State Road.
"Fortunately, we are still in the pre-tourism season up here," he said in an interview with WWJ's Beth Fisher. "Still a lot of snow on the ground; I'm looking out at some right now. So, we've got a ways to go before tourism really picks up. Hopefully we can get these fixed somewhat quickly."
