Construction on the new FishPass system at the Union Street Dam site will begin Tuesday (May 21) in downtown Traverse City. Initial work will include fencing installation by contactor Spence Brothers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, requiring the lower parking lot (Lot J) by the dam to be closed. Parking there will be inaccessible for the duration of the project.

Mobilization and site preparation is expected to begin in early June, with heavy construction beginning in July, according to a release from the City of Traverse City. Access to all businesses and residences in the area will be maintained. Other important access information includes:

Access to Boardman/Ottaway River
The entire south shoreline of the river and any riverwalk features between Cass and Union streets will be closed to the public for the duration of construction. The stairs on the southwest corner near the Cass Street Bridge will be closed at the first landing. There will be no access to the docks in this location. The riverwalk and stairs on the north side of the river near the Union Street Bridge will remain open during construction. Pedestrian detour signage will be installed.

Access within the Boardman/Ottaway River
The dam safety buoy line will be relocated to upstream of Cass Street Bridge. Dedicated portage points will be at Hull Park on the upstream side and Clinch Park on the downstream side. During construction, a temporary portage point will be near the stairs on the northeast corner of the Union Street Bridge. The portage point at American Legion Park will be closed. In 2025, construction work will not permit any portage between Cass and Union streets.

FishPass is anticipated to be complete in 2027. For more project info, click here.