TRANSPORTATION

Traffic routes through the township are limited by the water boundaries and topography of the Township. The north-south traffic travels on either East Torch Lake Drive or M-88. These routes on opposite sides of the township serve to move the traffic efficiently during the majority of the year. During the summer months, particularly on weekends, East Torch Lake Drive suffers from congestion problems. This congestion is caused by heavy traffic volumes, vehicles towing water craft, numerous turning movements due to large numbers of driveways, as well as a considerable number of pedestrians and cyclists. Traffic flows smoothly on M-88 throughout the year.

Bellaire Highway and Clam Lake Road serve the bulk of the east-west traffic movement in an efficient manner. Traffic flows well on Bellaire Highway due to the limited number of driveways that front on this road as opposed to the number of driveways fronting on East Torch Lake Drive. Clam Lake Road serves the function of providing a means of movement within the township and into Bellaire. It does not handle through traffic which originates outside the township or merely passes through to points outside of Forest Home Township.

Public transportation is provided by the Antrim County Transit System (ACT) which is a "dial-a-ride" system. Individuals make arrangements for passenger pick-up and delivery throughout the county by contacting the Transit System. Other than ACT, no other forms of public transportation service Forest Home Township or the Village of Bellaire at the current time. Planning is underway for a publicly operated intercounty transit system which may provide service to Forest Home Township.

The Antrim County Airport located in Kearney Township provides a runway with some repair services available but does not provide for commercial traffic other than charter service originating from other locations. The Cherry Capitol Airport in Traverse City is the nearest location that provides scheduled passenger air traffic.

The lakes provide a means of travel by watercraft which is limited to noncommercial traffic. Boats can travel within the upper Chain­of-Lakes or the lower Chain-of-Lakes. A spillway in Bellaire prevents the movement of boats between the upper and the lower lakes. Boats are restricted from entering Lake Michigan by the hydro-electric generating dam at Elk Rapids.

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