In early April 2026, a combination of heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt washed out a section of M-119 between Good Hart and Cross Village, south of Division Road. Additionally, the slope beneath M-119 near Stutsmanville Road south of Good Hart began to fail, leading MDOT to close the roadway out of caution.
In late June 2026, another significant rainstorm (dropping 5 to 7 inches of rain in a few hours) resulted in additional washouts on M-119 near Middle Village Road, South Lamkin Road, Horseshoe Bend and Devil’s Elbow.
MDOT maintenance staff, the Emmet County Road Commission and contractors have since been able to repair and reopen several segments of M-119. MDOT completed a $300,000 project to stabilize the slope near Stutsmanville Road with retaining walls just before Labor Day 2026. Smaller repairs were completed over the summer to stabilize M-119 near Middle Village Road, South Lamkin Road and Horseshoe Bend.
The segments of M-119 closed to through-traffic remain open to local traffic. Access to residences and businesses in the closed portions will be maintained.
Beyond the current closed locations, MDOT is planning to contract with a consultant to perform a comprehensive resiliency study of the M-119 Tunnel of Trees corridor for improvements and long-term management, looking at existing and potential erosion, drainage, slope stability and geotechnical conditions.
South of Division Road due to a culvert failure and washout in April. Traffic is detoured on Island View Road and North State Road. The exact scope and feasibility of repairs is currently being analyzed on an expedited schedule. This closure is expected to remain until at least through 2027.
At Devil’s Elbow due to washouts in late June. Traffic is detoured on West Stutsmanville Road, Townline Road, Church Road and Robinson Road. No firm timeline for repairs to that section is known at this time.
November 2026 - September 2028
Emmet County
