Photo courtesy of Robert LaFave East Falls River Drive remains shut down after the flooding that took place in Baraga County. A wash out occurred nearby railroad tracks and its culvert location. The cost for the culvert is almost $700,000.

L’ANSE — The flood damage that occurred in Baraga County which brought several roads to a close has seen immediate repairs, and the assessment of costs are coming in. On Friday State Representative Karl Bohnak (R-Deerton) issued a press release providing a recovery update.

“We’re still working through the true extent of the damages after this flooding, but thanks to hard work by local officials, we’re beginning to understand the scope of what happened,” Bohnak said in the release. “We clearly have a lot of work ahead of us, but I know our community will band together and do what needs to be done to get things back to normal.”

Baraga County Road Commission Manager Doug Mills said the repairs so far are between $6 and $8 million.

Currently the Baraga County Road Commission is conducting damage assessments which include permanent repairs and cost estimates. Mills said the cost could go up or down during the assessments, and the number of roads currently being assessed sits at 38. The damage done to Skanee Road and Pequaming Road currently looks to be the most costly, though Mills said damage done to Bay Shore Road is heavy and the crossing at Secret Creek has been completely wiped out.

Mills explained roads such as Skanee have received damage to their drainage structure while ditches from Townline Road to near Slate River are compromised by off site sediment, rocks, boulders and other debris. Sub culverts have also been filled with such debris.

“That’s a big concern,” Mills said. “It’s the same thing as Pequaming Road — a lot of off site debris and gravel and other blockages. It has to be cleaned out the whole length of the roads, along with culverts that are completely blocked. Some are partially blocked, some that have to be replaced then some that were completely damaged and overwhelmed by the flash flood.”

Pequaming Road remains closed, though Skanee is open to traffic. Road signs set up around areas of concern urge drivers to use caution. Reactive repairs are still being conducted to return as much regular traffic as possible, such as the work on Indian Cemetery Road by M D Contracting. The drainage structure there was lost and its cost sits at more than $100,000.

L’Anse Village Manager Robert LaFave said he fully expects a large portion of River Street will need to be redone because its drains were completely overwhelmed with the water. LaFave also shared the temporary fix that was made on East Falls River Drive after flooding in 2023 was completely wiped out. “That’s almost $700,000, and that’s just for one box culvert crossing,” LaFave said.

It is the only road in the Village of L’Anse that is shut down completely and last week the Village of L’Anse signed a contract with MJO Contracting and will seek a permanent fix.

LaFave said Hancock City Manager Mary Babcock and Houghton City Manager Eric Waara reached out to give advice from their experience with the Father’s Day flood, and communities like Nauganee and Marquette also offered assistance. LaFave also received offers of assistance from the Michigan State Police during the immediate repairs, but he is most concerned for the future.

“I try to emphasize, it’s the long term fixes that that we’re definitely gonna need assistance on,” LaFave said.

At present repairs are under way to open drainages so extra sediment does not build up during future storms. Mills said he is hoping to receive financial assistance for the upcoming repairs and drainage structure replacements.

“We’ve been in contact with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Keweenaw Bay Indian community works closely with them. A lot of these roads are a dual road system, where they’re on the Indian Reservation Road system, but maintained by Baraga County Road Commission. So that is a potential funding source and officials have been notified. We’ve contacted Michigan Department of Transportation, also Michigan State Police, who are in charge of emergency management coordination for the state. And of course, there’s Representative Bohnak’s office and we’ve been in touch with the representative.”

Mills said Bohnak was going to be in touch with State Senator Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township) regarding the repairs. LaFave said he has reached out to them as well as U.S. Senator Ellisa Slotkin and Congressman Jack Bergman to put them on the radar. Mills explained the area has the motion for potential funding, but everything will take time. Mills is looking forward to completing the emergency work then move onto completing permanent repairs.