Lake Michigan shoreline project breaking ground

Construction to stabilize an eroding portion of shoreline on Lake Michigan in northern Lake County is to begin this week.

State officials will break ground on the $1.3 million project at the Illinois Beach State Park on Wednesday.

Workers will construct a man-made reef at the site to reduce sand erosion. The project is intended to keep a parking lot at North Point marina from slipping into Lake Michigan. It's also intended to maintain the beach from eroding.

North Point marina is the largest marina on the Great Lakes.

State Sen. Melinda Bush is attending the groundbreaking ceremony. The Democrat from Grayslake says the project invests in both environmental resources and tourism.

The project is part of a $31 billion state capital construction program started in 2009.