$50,000 pledged locally for Gateway Trail project

HURLEY — Will Andresen had some good news for the Ironwood City Commission on Monday evening.

The Community Resource Development Educator with the Iron County University of Wisconsin-Extension office said $50,000 has been raised for the Western Gateway non-motorized trail project in the Ironwood area.

The local fund-raising effort, called a “Bridge the Gap” campaign, matches a $295,000 first phase trail grant received for the project.

Andresen, who lives in Ironwood, said 54 people or businesses pledged money to the drive.

“This is great to hear,” Ironwood Mayor Kim Corcoran said.

Asked about the source of the contributions, Andresen said $38,000 of the $50,000 is coming from Iron County, with $12,000 from the Michigan side.

Commissioners discussed scaling down the project, but took no formal action. Ross Peterson Construction, of Hurley, was the low bidder of five submitted, at $440,179, and City Manager Scott Erickson had previously recommended scaling it down to $346,000.

Erickson said there is a small wetlands area along the trail that must be filled and a Department of Natural Resources permit will be needed for that work.

Erickson said the work is scheduled to be completed by August.

Commissioner Brandon Tauer asked why the bridge repair costs were so high in the bids. Erickson said it’s because of DNR specifications, including high railings.

The fundraising effort is to restore the train trestle over the Montreal River as part of the trail project from Wakefield to Montreal, Wis.

The city commission will next meet on Monday, April 13, at 5:30 p.m. in the second floor commission chambers of the Memorial Building.

The $295,000 grant is from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund through interest earned on money derived from the development of publicly owned minerals.

The Gogebic County project is part of a statewide Iron Belle trail.