Trail resurfacing project begins, faces temporary closings

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

One of northeast lower Michigan largest construction projects of 2011 ? one that should provide a boost to tourism — is underway.

The surfacing project for the new 71-mile Northeastern State Trail, as it has been dubbed, from Alpena to Cheboygan started with brushing and clearing on April 18. As the project continues, there will be associated closings.

The closures are for improvements, including a new 10-foot-wide packed, crushed limestone surface with 2-foot shoulders. The trail will be on the former Detroit to Mackinac Railroad connecting Alpena, Posen, Millersburg, Onaway, Aloha and Cheboygan.

The surface will be similar to the popular surface installed on the North Central State Trail (Gaylord-Cheboygan-Mackinaw City) in 2008.

THE SURFACING project began April 18, despite the weather, right on time, with brushing and clearing along the entire corridor.

The project will commence on the west end in Cheboygan and should be complete by mid-September in Alpena, giving bicyclists, walkers, joggers and horse riding enthusiasts a chance to enjoy it this year. The completion date is Sept. 30.

The project will be done in eight segments, with each trail segment closed while being surfaced. The remainder of the trail will be open for all non-motorized users during the project period.

THE EIGHT trail project segments are as follows: ? Lincoln Street in Cheboygan to M-27 ? M-27 to M-33 ? M-33

to M-211 ? M-211 to Millersburg Road ? Millersburg Road to CR 638 in Hawks ? CR 638 in Hawks to M-65 ? M-65 to Cathro Road ? Cathro Road to Woodward Street in Alpena

This project is a collaboration between two state departments, local units of government and a nonprofit organization. The Top of Michigan Trails Council (TOMTC) led the effort to help assemble a $3.1 million development package. The Department of Natural Resources owns the trail and has been working with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), which completed the project engineering and is responsible for project oversight.

?THIS IS a beautiful rural trail that connects communities and natural resources. Trail users will be able to ride from Alpena all the way to Mackinaw City or Gaylord. This is part of the larger 220-plus-mile northern Lower Peninsula Trail network,? said Emily Meyerson, trailways coordinator for the TOMTC. Once completed, the trail will be open for all non-motorized use year-round and for snowmobile use Dec. 1 through March 31.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.