Michigan Department of Transportation officials said drainage improvements made along a flood-prone stretch of U.S. 31 in recent years were overpowered last week when Tannery Creek also overran with water.
The flooding that occurred on Tuesday was a familiar site for motorists commuting to and from Petoskey, but it was especially familiar for the businesses across U.S. 31 North from the Petoskey-Bay View Country Club’s golf course.
Mike Czerkie owns a professional building along U.S. 31 between Turbush Avenue and Hampton Road. Over the years, Czerkie said his tenants had to deal with flooding when heavy rain occurred.
“It seems like it hasn’t been fixed,” Czerkie said.
In 2014, the Michigan Department of Transportation installed a storm drainage system that would help relieve flooding. The project cost about $15,000, and included two new catch basins for the existing drainage.