COTC - 4 Mar 2026 - TC State Park and Beach changes

0:00 Good morning, Northern Michigan. This is your cup of Traverse City for the 03/04/2026. I'm Mike, and I've got my coffee in hand. So now it begins, the construction season, but, specifically, all around the Traverse City State Park. The new traffic signal that's gonna be at the new entrance of the state park, roughly where the bridge used to be, the overpass crosswalk, whatever you wanna call it, pedestrian bridge. Right around that area is where the new main entrance to the state park is going to be and, crews, are going to start probably next week, putting up the traffic signal that's gonna go there. The traffic signal is gonna be there, you know, in blink mode probably for a few weeks, and then it'll go into full operation.

1:03 So, yeah, there'll be yet another stop between three and four mile road there on on the, on 31 on the main highway. Of course, those of you that don't live around here, we don't have freeways around here. So four lane four lane and two lane highways are kind of the the norm around here with traffic signals and circles and you know what. But, of course, those of us that live around here know all about all of that. Of Of course, the bridge was controversial, that they wanted to take it out. Apparently, they are now planning on building a new one at some point, because crossing the the road there at the surface, to get over to the beach side of the park is, dangerous. That's why they built that bridge in the first place.

1:58 I wanna say in the sixties or maybe even the fifties. I I guess I don't know the the history of that that pedestrian bridge. But, anyway, so expect, you know, some traffic delays along there while they're installing this thing. They're gonna have lane closures and the sidewalk. This will be disrupted somewhat. So be, be be extra careful, traveling through that stretch between three and four mile road. Also, a little later this year, they're gonna start moving the beach entrance. Right now, it's slightly to the west of where three mile and 31 cross. They're gonna move that to align with US 31 at three mile, or align with three mile at US 31.

2:52 So there'll be just that one intersection and, you'll be able to go straight into the State Park Beach or, turn left or right on 31 off of 3 Mile. And the reason that's of interest to me, I'm not that far away from there. So that that one will be a pain when they're working on it. Of course, at that same intersection, they're putting in a giant, Hilton hotel. That hasn't started yet either, but, where the, A A A building was is, it is right now, but, will be a was, soon when they tear it down right across from the bear store there, at the corner of 31 and and, 3 Mile.

3:39 Of course, those of us who've lived around here a long time remember that there was a gas station, a total station, I think, right there, where the bear store was. But, anyway, they're gonna line all that up so that getting to the beach is gonna be a little easier because it'll be a a good traffic light there. And, of course, there's gonna be that other traffic light at the entrance to the state park, which I guess makes sense. You know, trying to turn in there with a camper was always a problem. If you're coming from the North, you'd have to get in that left turn lane and, might take a while to, get across. So I guess having a light there makes sense.

4:21 I'm not thrilled with that idea because I go that way a lot. You know, between where I live and, where Myers is out in Acme, where I tend to shop, I gotta go up that way. And, having yet another traffic light might not be all that convenient, but maybe they'll time it right. That would be ideal, but, yeah, you never know. But, lots lots of stuff going on around the state park. They, they tore down that house. They called it the lodge, but that house that was in the corner there up by the highway and built, I don't know what you call it, but a building there where, where you check-in and all that. And it's, it looks quite nice from what I can see.

5:09 And they made the entrance longer so that, you know, when there's campers stacked up there, you know, I'm talking camp trailers and stuff not people in tents, but you know there'll be cars stacked up, you know, there when when they're busy for checking in, but it looks like there'll be plenty of room. A lot of the work that they're doing is is because the sewage system at in the park, needed an upgrade, so they had to tear up a bunch of stuff, and they're working on it. State Park will reopen April 2027, so it'll be closed this entire summer.

5:56 That's not ideal, I guess, but, hey, you know, gotta make some progress. They they did a similar thing out in Interlochen closed it it for a year. And, Interlochen State Park is very, very nice. So, hopefully, they'll do the same with the Traverse City Park and and, I look forward to it. So let's check the weather before we get out of here on this beautiful Wednesday. The sun is up. I like it. It's, looks like 30 degrees already, which is, you know, for eight in the morning isn't too bad. So today, sunny high near 53.

6:36 I like to see that five in there. A lot of the snow is going to go away, I hope. Calm wind becoming south around five miles per hour. Today, partly cloudy with a low around twenty eight, calm wind. And tomorrow, a chance of freezing rain before 9AM. Oh, that morning commute might be fun for some people that have to commute. I commute 30 feet out my back door. I'm lucky that way. And, chance of rain and snow showers, between nine and ten. Well, they're being specific for tomorrow. And then a chance of rain showers after 10AM. Mostly sunny with a high near 46.

7:19 So, well, that's gonna kinda blow out of here at some point, and that's good. East wind. East wind. That's weird. Five to 10 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 30%. So, yeah, might get a little slap tomorrow morning. Be careful on the commute, and I will catch you tomorrow.