Bellaire-area flood repairs reopen M-88, M-66 crossings

Several Antrim County highway sections damaged by the June 29 flooding have reopened, including crossings on M-88 and M-66 that affect travel for Bellaire-area residents, commuters, visitors and businesses. The reopenings are temporary in some locations, and final paving or other permanent work remains pending.

The Michigan Department of Transportation said July 16 that an extreme rainfall event on June 29 dropped an estimated 5 to 7 inches of rain in a few hours. Flooding and washouts damaged several state highways in Antrim County.

What has reopened

MDOT’s July 16 update lists these Antrim County locations as repaired and reopened:

• M-66 at Lilak Creek: Temporarily repaired and open, with traffic crossing the culvert on a gravel surface until paving can be completed.
• M-88 just west of Central Lake: Repaired and reopened.
• M-88 at Coulter Creek: Temporarily repaired and open, with a gravel surface pending paving.
• M-88 at Eastport Creek: Temporarily repaired and open on a gravel surface. The location had previously been limited to one lane of alternating traffic controlled by a temporary signal.
• M-88 at Wilkinson Creek east of Eastport: Temporarily repaired and open on a gravel surface. MDOT said the previous Ellsworth Road and Atwood Road detour had been lifted.

The July 16 release does not describe these temporary repairs as final restoration. Drivers should expect rough or changing conditions near the culvert work and follow any posted signs, barricades and traffic controls.

What it means for Bellaire-area travel

The reopening of the M-88 crossings removes the closure and detour that had disrupted travel between M-88 and US-31. For people traveling through eastern Antrim County, that can shorten trips compared with the conditions reported earlier in July. However, reopened does not necessarily mean fully restored: gravel crossings and unfinished paving can still affect speeds, ride quality and route reliability.

Interlochen Public Radio reported July 8 that washouts had forced motorists to take longer routes and affected access to businesses, including Providence Organic Farm in Central Lake. The report also said MDOT had not yet set a firm timeline for full repairs at that point.

For Bellaire-area commuters, residents and visitors, the practical advice is to allow extra time, slow down near temporary surfaces and avoid assuming that a recently reopened route will remain unchanged after additional rain.

Other county roadwork remains separate

The Antrim County Road Commission’s 2026 bid information lists work involving M-88 culverts and Bellaire Highway paving. Those documents show ongoing infrastructure activity in the county, but they do not establish that every listed project resulted from the June 29 flooding.

Because road conditions and repair progress can change, drivers should check MDOT’s Mi Drive before leaving. The state resource provides current information on closures, incidents, construction and detours. Drivers should also follow signs in the field, even if an online status has not yet caught up with a change.

Sources

• Michigan Department of Transportation's July 16 road update
• Interlochen Public Radio's flooding report