Section of Peninsula Drive Closed Indefinitely Due to High Waves

Oct. 17, 2019 Update: Peninsula Drive is now back open, as of today. See photos at the bottom of this story.

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High winds and waves battered the Old Mission Peninsula yesterday, causing a road closure on a section of Peninsula Drive.

Around noon yesterday, the Grand Traverse County Road Commission issued a statement that Peninsula Drive, between McKinley Road and Wilson Road, was closed due to West Bay waves and erosion issues.

Shortly thereafter, they issued another statement that the road would be closed indefinitely, noting that residents at 7608 Peninsula Drive and south of there will need to access their homes from the south, and residents at 7700 Peninsula Drive and north of there will need to access their homes from the north.

They also noted that no thru traffic is permitted in that area, and motorists must adhere to closure signs.

I drove by there yesterday and although I didn’t see any water washing over the road just south of Wilson Road, the waves from West Bay were fierce. I would imagine that some of those homes along the shore side might see some water damage.

If anyone lives in that area, feel free to give us the scoop in the comments section at the bottom of this story.

High winds and water caused issues in other parts of the Old Mission Peninsula, with trees down and one section of Bluff Road damaged due to a tree that had fallen into East Bay, leaving a section of the bank and part of Bluff Road in peril.

Stay tuned to the Gazette for more storm photos.

Updated Photos: Here are updated photos of the section of Peninsula Drive that was closed, but back open as of Oct. 17, 2019.

And photos taken by Pete Meyer as the Grand Traverse County Road Commission worked to stabilize the area.