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Photo by Editor-in-Chief Rob Alway. The approximate 76-foot-long tunnel underneath M 20 will allow pedestrians and tram traffic to safely cross the road from the south parking lot (pictured at left) to Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo (pictured at right).
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — M 20/Stony Lake Road is scheduled to close to traffic between 68th and 72nd avenues at 7 a.m. Monday, March 9, as a $2.6 million pedestrian tunnel project gets underway.
The approximate 76-foot-long tunnel underneath M 20 will allow pedestrians and tram traffic to safely cross the road from the south parking lot to Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo.
The tunnel will be approximately 24 feet wide, said OCRC Managing Director Mark Timmer. Pedestrians will use the west side of the tunnel, and tram traffic — tractors hauling farm visitors in trailers — will utilize the east side with a fence dividing the two lanes.
A drawing of the tunnel provided by the Oceana County Road Commission.
“This is being constructed for public safety, so that you won’t have pedestrians or trams crossing on M 20, because it’s high-speed and there is quite a bit of traffic and semi traffic,” said Timmer.
Eventually, there will no longer be any parking for the venue on the north side of M 20, said OCRC County Highway Engineer Cole Shafer who is leading the project.
“It will happen fairly quickly,” said Timmer. “The contractor will start mobilizing on Monday, but we have a completion date for it to be open to traffic by the end of May.” The tunnel would likely start being used by pedestrians around the end of August so that lighting, landscaping and other final touches are completed.
“It’s nice that everybody could work together — MDOT, the road commission, Shelby Township, Lewis farms and State Senator Jon Bumstead. We all care about public safety, and this is a local business that is a working farm. It has been a very successful business, and it has rides and a petting zoo. By doing this project, we want to ensure the safety of the public as they access this farm.”
Photo by Editor-in-Chief Rob Alway
Plans had been in the works for the project several months prior to the tragic traffic death of Lewis farms owner Cindy Lewis last July. A traffic impact study of the area was completed two years ago, said Shafer.
The uniqueness of the project is not just limited to its design but also its construction. “It’s a precast concrete structure,” said Shafer, “meaning they’re building it off-site, but it’s getting shipped in and we assemble it in pieces. There are pieces being built right now as we speak that will be shipped there for us to assemble on site.”
“There are probably only a handful of these under state trunklines in the state,” said Timmer. “And I don’t know of any that are built to handle tractor traffic,” added Shafer. The maximum vertical clearance will be 12 feet and 4 inches.
Photo by Editor-in-Chief Rob Alway.
“The Oceana County Road Commission is moving forward with a significant infrastructure improvement project along Stony Lake Road (M-20) and 68th Avenue,” states a press release from the road commission.
“The project includes the construction of a new pedestrian tunnel beneath Stony Lake Road (M-20), designed to enhance public safety, accessibility, and connectivity for visitors of Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo. The project is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Oceana County Road Commission, Shelby Township and Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo and is being funded by a special allocation obtained from the State of Michigan by Senator Jon Bumstead.
“The work includes construction of a pedestrian tunnel beneath Stony Lake Road (M-20), along with roadway reconstruction on both Stony Lake Road (M-20) and 68th Avenue. Project elements include placement of approximately 1,200 tons of hot-mix asphalt, new aggregate base and sand sub-base, concrete curb and gutter, and a concrete shared-use path to support pedestrian and tram travel underneath M 20.
“Additional improvements include upgraded drainage infrastructure, permanent pavement markings, and turf restoration to ensure long-term durability and environmental stability.
Photo by Editor-in-Chief Rob Alway.
“The Oceana County Road Commission appreciates the public’s patience during construction and remains committed to delivering safe, efficient, and accessible transportation facilities for all users.
“The project is anticipated to begin on March 9 with an interim completion date of mid-May of 2026, where the road will be open for traffic, and a final completion date of late August in 2026.
“During the construction phase, both M 20 and 68th Avenue will be closed to through traffic,” states the press release. “Signed detour routes will be in place for the duration of the closures.
“Traffic will be directed to utilize US 31, then Shelby Road or Winston Road, to Oceana Drive, and then return to M 20,” states the press release regarding the M 20 detour. “Traffic will be directed to use Water Road to Arthur Road to navigate around the closure (on 68th Avenue).
“Motorists are encouraged to follow posted detour signage and allow additional travel time. The road commission appreciates the public’s cooperation and patience as these improvements are completed.”
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