March 7 Crash Shuts US-31 Both Ways in Grand Traverse County

NB and SB US-31 (Munson Ave) between Three Mile Rd and Four Mile Rd closed due to a crash in Grand Traverse County on March 7," MDOT reported, and added that "Motorists advised to seek alternate routes." The state agency provided no additional details on the crash's severity, the number of vehicles involved or an expected reopening time.

The closure cut through a busy stretch of eastern Grand Traverse County that links neighborhood traffic to Munson Medical Center and several park entrances, and it came as local road crews announced separate reopenings nearby. Grand Traverse County Road Commission said Three Mile Road and Townline Road have reopened to traffic, but noted that reopening those crossings does not affect the closed US-31 segment between Three Mile and Four Mile.

The GTCRC board also passed a weight restriction on Townline Road, supported by East Bay and Garfield townships, "restricting use by all non-essential and non-emergency commercial vehicles." GTCRC Manager Dan Watkins said the repairs to Townline aren’t "a long-term fix, but in order to save it for as long as we possibly can, we want to keep the semis off." Commissioners asked staff to contact Garfield and Long Lake townships about a similar restriction on Barney Road ahead of planned paving.

MDOT said longer-term detour planning and roadway upgrades are already in the pipeline to handle diverted US-31 traffic during future construction. Summer 2025 improvements planned for Benzie and Grand Traverse county roadways include thicker pavement, wider shoulders, addition of turn lanes and temporary traffic signals, while fall 2025 work to remove poor soils at the Cedar Hedge and Tonawanda Creek bridges will require detouring northbound and southbound US-31 traffic, with signs in advance stating local and business access remains open. MDOT said it places directional signs, issues news releases, posts detour maps and participates in media interviews to promote official reroutes, and added, "However, depending on their destination, some drivers may find that another public roadway will be more convenient and direct, and they are legally able to do so. This does not negate those drivers’ need to follow posted speed limits and obey all signs and signals on their chosen route, but MDOT cannot [...]"

State safety reviews have also flagged the US-31 and E Duck Lake Road intersection for improvement. The report states, "The existing grades on both US-31 and E Duck Lake Road lead to sight distance concerns. Additionally, the low intersecting angle allows northbound US-31 right turns to occur at unsafe speeds and make left turns from E Duck Lake difficult. The addition of a dedicated right-turn lane on northbound US-31, realigned E Duck Lake Road, and grading improvements will improve the safety and traffic operations. Removing access was evaluated but the rerouted traffic could not be accommodated at Pine Tree Road."

Park and trail work near Munson Avenue also alters local access: snow fence is being installed along Fair Street and Munson Ave., and officials advise that "All foot traffic should plan to enter the park from the south (Titus/Civic Center) or the west (Garfield/Civic Center)." Gtcountymi notes that "It is anticipated that the bridge will be unavailable from March 24th through mid-June. The road will be available during that time." The project timeline posted by the city lists items as COMPLETE, including "Selective tree removal | March 2025 | COMPLETE" and "Addition of parallel soft running path- path closed | March-June | COMPLETE," along with multiple May–June track and bridge work items.

MDOT has not released a reopening time for the closed US-31 segment; the agency's original notice said, "No additional details on the incident's severity or expected reopening time were provided." Officials in state and county transportation and local law enforcement may issue further updates as investigations and clearance proceed.