A section of M-119 between Good Hart and Cross Village in Emmet County is closed after a culvert beneath the roadway failed overnight, causing a washout, according to an April 13 announcement from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
The closure is significant for local transportation, as it disrupts travel along this route. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said its personnel are currently assessing the damage and working on a repair plan, but no timeline for reopening has been set. MDOT has coordinated with the Emmet County Road Commission to set up a detour using Island View Road and North State Road.
In addition to this incident, another closure affects M-119 near Stutsmanville Road south of Good Hart. Although the road itself remains intact at that location, officials have closed it due to concerns about a nearby slope washout approaching the roadway edge. Traffic is being rerouted onto West Stutsmanville Road and Terpening Road while MDOT evaluates options for stabilizing the area.
The Michigan Department of Transportation manages nearly 10,000 miles of state highways as well as more than 4,800 bridges and other infrastructure across Michigan, according to the official website. Its operations cover all regions of the state through seven regional offices and numerous service centers statewide according to MDOT.
MDOT’s responsibilities include maintaining not only highways like M-119 but also bridges, rail services, public transit systems, aviation programs, non-motorized trails such as bike paths, and enforcing safety standards according to its official site. The department employs more than 2,800 people under leadership including a director and several key executives as reported by MDOT.
According to its mission statement on its website, “The mission of the Michigan Department of Transportation focuses on serving and linking people, communities, and the economy through transportation efforts.”
