Bunker Hill Road Closed Wednesday for Repairs, Expect Detours
The Grand Traverse County Road Commission announced a full closure of Bunker Hill Road from US‑31 to the TART Trail on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers should follow posted detours via Lautner Road, M‑72 and US‑31; the work is weather dependent and is expected to finish by mid‑week next week. The closure affects daily commuters, delivery routes and trail access, and officials urge careful driving in the work zone.
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The Grand Traverse County Road Commission (GTCRC) has scheduled a full one‑day closure of Bunker Hill Road on Wednesday, Nov. 5, to allow for roadway repairs. The closure will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and covers the stretch between US‑31 and the TART Trail, according to the commission's announcement.
Motorists traveling through the area should follow the detour using Lautner Road, M‑72 and US‑31. The GTCRC noted that the schedule is weather dependent; crews aim to complete the repairs and restore normal traffic patterns by mid‑week next week. Drivers are being asked to exercise extra caution in and around the work zone. "Drive like YOU work here," the release adds.
The closure removes a short but important connector from the local network for the day, with potential ripple effects for commuters, school transportation, delivery services and local businesses that rely on US‑31 and nearby roads for access. Residents who use the TART Trail for recreation or active transportation may also see changes in how they access the trail crossing in the work area and should plan alternate access points for the day.
Officials emphasize that the temporary disruption is intended to improve road safety and long‑term reliability. Bunker Hill Road links local neighborhoods to the US‑31 corridor, a primary north‑south route through Grand Traverse County that supports both daily commutes and the region's seasonal tourism economy. Completing repairs promptly helps reduce future closures and protects the pavement from winter weather stress, officials say.
Local emergency services and school districts typically coordinate with the road commission on planned closures to minimize impacts on response times and student transportation. Drivers are encouraged to leave additional travel time, pay attention to signage and obey any temporary traffic controls in place.
For more information, residents can contact Dan Watkins, GTCRC Manager, at (231) 922‑4849 ext. 229 or consult the commission's project notice online. The GTCRC release, which includes route details and contact information, is available on the commission's website.
