Arthur Road in Big Rapids Township, Michigan, will close Monday, June 15, 2026, as crews begin the next phase of the Tonkin Drain Improvement Project, officials said.
The closure will affect Arthur Road between Northland Drive and Norris Avenue. Traffic will be detoured along 205th Avenue, 12 Mile Road, and Northland Drive while storm sewer work moves forward in the area.
Arthur Road Closure Starts Monday
Crews are preparing to replace an existing tile system with storm sewer infrastructure along Arthur Road, south of Big Rapids. The work is part of the Tonkin Drain Improvement Project, a drainage effort led by the Mecosta County Drain Commission.
The Arthur Road closure notice states that construction activity will take place within the county road right-of-way and other right-of-way secured for the Tonkin Drain project.
Drivers who normally use Arthur Road should prepare for a longer route beginning June 15. Officials said the posted detour will direct traffic from 205th Avenue to 12 Mile Road, then to Northland Drive.
Detour Set Around Work Zone
The closure affects a local corridor that connects residential, rural, and commuter traffic south of Big Rapids. Drivers will not be able to travel through the closed section between Northland Drive and Norris Avenue during the construction period.
The detour is designed to keep traffic away from active excavation, storm sewer installation, and construction equipment. Motorists should follow posted signs rather than GPS routes that may not update immediately.
Traffic may increase on 205th Avenue, 12 Mile Road, and Northland Drive while the closure is in place. Residents along those roads may see more vehicles during morning and evening travel periods.
Gilbert Road Work Also Begins
Storm sewer installation will also begin on June 15 across and along Gilbert Road in Big Rapids Township. That work is part of the same Tonkin Drain project.
Unlike Arthur Road, Gilbert Road is expected to remain open during construction. Officials said traffic will be maintained while crews complete the storm sewer installation there.
Drivers should still expect construction activity near Gilbert Road. Equipment, temporary traffic control, and workers may be present along the route.
Drain Project Moves Into New Phase
The latest work follows the completion of culvert construction tied to the same drainage project. The Tonkin Drain project page reported on June 12 that the 13 Mile Road box culvert installation was complete and that 13 Mile Road had reopened to all traffic.
The same update said Jackson Dirt Works was transitioning to open-channel work and storm sewer installation along Arthur Road, starting June 15, 2026.
Northland Drive box culvert work has also been completed, and that road has reopened to traffic. Dean’s Excavating is repositioning for storm sewer installation along Gilbert Road.
Existing Tile System Being Replaced
The Arthur Road work focuses on replacing older drainage tiles with storm sewer infrastructure. Earlier project updates said the existing tiles near Seneca Parkway and Arthur Road have continued to overtop during heavy rain.
That flooding has affected private properties and public road rights-of-way in the area, officials said in prior project updates.
In April, heavy rains damaged the 13 Mile Road crossing east of 190th Avenue. Mecosta County officials said one culvert failed and another road crossing had a partial failure before planned replacement work could be completed.
Township Points Residents to County
Big Rapids Charter Township has said residents with questions about the Tonkin Drain should contact the Mecosta County Drain Commissioner’s Office. The Big Rapids Township statement says drain projects in Michigan are not initiated, reviewed, approved, or administered by townships.
The township said the Tonkin Drain project is handled through the county drain process after a petition and approval by the board of determination.
Karla Miller, the Mecosta County drain commissioner, is listed as the public contact for project questions. The office phone number is 231 592 0103.
Cost Dispute Remains Part of Background
The Tonkin Drain project has also faced criticism from some property owners inside the drainage district. Residents have objected to special assessments tied to the project cost.
A previous report on project assessments and costs estimated the improvement project at $5.4 million. The cost is being shared among property owners and public entities, including the Michigan Department of Transportation, Ferris State University, Big Rapids Charter Township, the city of Big Rapids, and Mecosta County.
The same report said the project traces back to a 2018 petition signed by eight property owners seeking improvements to the drainage system.
Miller has said the drain process followed Michigan’s drain code. County officials have said the project cannot simply be stopped once the legal process has advanced.
Construction Expected Through 2026
The Tonkin Drain work has been divided into separate construction contracts. Division One covers construction activity in the Tonkin Drain, excluding state roadway work, and was awarded to Jackson Dirt Works of Lake Odessa.
Division Two includes Northland Drive activity and storm sewer work along Gilbert Road. That contract was awarded to Dean’s Landscaping and Excavating of Sand Lake.
Township information says Division Two work was scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with completion anticipated by October 2026.
Arthur Road is the next major traffic disruption tied to the Tonkin Drain construction schedule. The closure begins June 15 between Northland Drive and Norris Avenue.
The posted detour will use 205th Avenue, 12 Mile Road, and Northland Drive. Gilbert Road will also see storm sewer work starting June 15, but traffic will be maintained there.
Project officials said regular updates, closure notices, detour maps, and construction area maps will be available through the Tonkin Drain project website as work continues.
