CRA is looking forward to construction of Chestonia Bridge on Old State Rd. This project has been in the works for several years and marks a major milestone in a free flowing Jordan River.The current double 16’ wide culverts that sit where Old State Road crosses the Jordan River are slated for removal next year. This is a high priority project for CRA because these culverts speed up stream flow to the point where some fish and other aquatic species cannot get upstream. In addition, the nearby eroding streambanks and worn access trails are dumping unnaturally high levels of sediment into the river.
Both the health of the river and making this a safe, accessible site for recreationists are top priorities. That’s why partners are addressing recreational access immediately upstream of the proposed bridge on state-owned land. Michigan DNR is funding recreational access design and will be holding an informational public meeting in the coming months.
As part of this development, CRA grants have funded designs for an improved road/stream crossing of the nearby Cokirs Creek. The creek runs parallel to Old State Rd before meeting the Jordan River. If construction bids for Chestonia Bridge are within grant budgets, Cokirs Creek crossing will also be constructed in 2017.
Funders - Thank you for supporting this project!
Thank you to the Antrim County Road Commission, Charlevoix County Community Foundation, Frey Foundation, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians and Natural Resources Conservation Service EQIP program, Great Lakes Fishery Trust, Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation, Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, J. A. Woollam Foundation, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Habitat Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Sustain Our Great Lakes program and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat program for supporting this initiative.For more information about this project, please contact Kimberly Balke, CRA Biologist, at 231-946-6817.
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