The Boardman River will be closed to recreational watercraft in the area of the Beitner Bridge project for the duration of construction, according to Grand Traverse County Parks & Recreation and the Grand Traverse County Road Commission. 

"For the safety of kayakers, canoeists, anglers, construction crews, and other river users, the public should not attempt to travel through the Beitner Bridge construction area by water," the groups said in a release. "Construction activities will include work within and over the river, including cofferdam installation and removal, bridge beam placement, riprap installation, and other operations that may create hazards for recreational users. Due to the accelerated construction schedule and changing work activities, maintaining the closure throughout construction is the safest approach."

River users are asked to plan their trips accordingly, observe all posted closure signs, and exit the river at designated access points before reaching the construction area. Shumsky Canoe Landing will be the last available location to exit the river before reaching the closed construction area.

Additional signage will be placed at upstream access locations to provide advance notice of the closure and remind river users to exit before reaching the construction area.

Photo credit: GT County Road Commission