Sheriff, commissioners flag standing water and crosswalk visibility on Horton Bay bike path project

Sheriff Chuck Vondra and multiple county committee members raised safety concerns about recurring standing water south of Horton Bay Village and vehicle speeds at the Horton Bay south-end crosswalk during the Charlevoix County Parks & Recreation Committee meeting on April 21, 2025.

Manager Jim Spires briefed the committee on bike-path Phase 3, saying crews resumed work to demolish and rebuild all six retaining walls. Spires said the work had been scheduled for completion by the end of May before the ice storm, but storm damage and related cleanup mean Phase 3 could now run into June. He also reported tree removal and snow-blocked areas on the Wheelway required extra clearing time.

Sheriff Chuck Vondra told the committee the standing water south of Horton Bay is recurring and that limited sight lines and vehicle speeds at the south-end crosswalk create a safety risk that needs addressing. Committee members agreed the visibility and speed issues should be reviewed as part of the project’s next steps.

The committee did not record a formal vote on a specific mitigation plan during the meeting; members discussed prioritizing repairs and further examination of drainage and traffic controls. No timeline for corrective actions beyond the construction schedule was recorded in the minutes.

The committee expects construction progress updates as Phase 3 continues; the manager said crews are working to clear remaining debris and complete retaining-wall reconstruction.