18 Feb Charlevoix County Hires Engineering Firm to Study Boardwalk

The boardwalk section of the Little Traverse Wheelway remains officially closed, but Charlevoix County officials recently hired an engineering firm to further study the 28-year-old structure.

The county closed the nearly mile-long wooden bridge last fall after discovering several structural tie-backs beneath the planking had failed.

According to the Boyne Citizen, the county Board of Commissioners agreed Feb. 11 to pay Machin Engineering of Traverse City $24,600 for structural inspection and repair design.

Machin’s work will define the nature and scope of the problem leading to an estimate of what the cost of repairs will be, the news organization said.

Trails Council Executive Director Brent Bolin said he applauds the county’s quick action and willingness to tackle the problem.