Platte River & Reynolds Road Bridge

Inlet before - 4’ diameter culvert was extremely undersized

During construction - the bridge is set on 48 piles driven over 20’ into the ground

After - Platte River and Reynolds Bridge

The Platte River is a State designated Blue Ribbon Trout Stream, and includes 90.5 miles of stream and tributaries. The Reynolds  Road crossing on the Platte River mainstem (site #PLT-A4) was a severe site where the 4’ diameter culvert was exceptionally undersized. As a result, the road embankments were eroding and slumping into the stream and pool formation was a problem at the outlet. These conditions were exacerbated by intense recreational use, and steep, curved road approaches with limited visibility on a well traveled road. The altered channel warmed water temperatures and caused trees on the streambanks to collapse into the stream further impeding flows. Now, a timber bridge fully spans the river and a realigned roadway provides safer conditions for drivers. 

Project Cost: $592,711

Best Management Practices

• Replace 4’ diameter, 98’ long corrugated steel culvert with a 66’ long, 34’ wide, 3 span timber bridge set on 48 piles driven over 20’ deep into ground
• 500’ guardrail
• Installation of 7 spillways & 2 downspouts to route runoff
• Realignment, grading,  paving & curbing of 1,200’ of road approaches
• Rock placement & revegetation

Project Benefits

• Reconnect 1 mile of upper Platte River, Lake Ann & other connecting lakes
• Restore fish passage & aquatic organism passage
• Restore natural movement of woody debris & substrate
• Provide natural stream bottom under roadway
• Ensure safe road approaches for vehicle traffic
• Reduce road maintenance needs
• Halt annual input of up to 10.6  tons of sediment from roadbed

Contributors

Environmental Protection Agency - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians
Natural Resources Conservation Service – Environmental Quality Incentives Program
US Fish & Wildlife Service – Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Restoration Act and Fish Passage Program
Benzie County Road Commission
River Care Program - The Oleson Foundation 

Partners

Conservation Resource Alliance, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Benzie County Road Commission, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, KPM Engineering, Platte River Watershed Council, Benzie Conservation District, Team Elmers’