Date: November 21, 2011
Contact: Chris Case, 906-387-2607, x209
MUNISING, Mich. Park Superintendent Jim Northup announced the beginning of several facility improvements in the Mosquito-Chapel trailhead area of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
The project - which began the week of November 21 - will include the replacement of two stream crossings, upgrading the surface of the last quarter mile of the Chapel Road, upgrading the Chapel-Mosquito area trailhead parking area and replacement of the old vault toilet. Facility Manager Chris Case, who is overseeing the project, explained that the end result of this project will be the elimination of runoff and siltation into two creeks in the area, an improved roadway, and a new parking area with circular traffic pattern with increased parking capacity to 49 cars and 4 RV/bus stalls. The project also includes placement of a fully accessible vault toilet unit.
The first phase of the work will be underway this fall with site preparation and placement of fill material in the Chapel-Mosquito trailhead parking lot. It is expected to take three to four weeks to complete. The second phase of the project will begin in the early spring of 2012 and include the stream crossing replacements and roadway improvements.
Due to the extent of construction and movement of heavy equipment at the work site, the last half mile of the Chapel Road and the Chapel-Mosquito area trailhead parking area will be closed to vehicle traffic from November 21, 2011, to May 24, 2012. Limited parking is available at the beginning of the construction closure area. Foot traffic through the construction project will be permitted.
The general contractor for the project is AMEC of Traverse City with AECOM of Marquette providing design and survey services and Gerou Excavating of Munising undertaking construction.
"We are pleased that two local firms that have provided excellent service to the park in the past have been selected for this project," Case commented. "This project has been scheduled during the late fall and early spring to minimize the project's impact to the public. We look forward to a significantly improved access and more visitor friendly facility at this popular area of the national lakeshore."
