Mud Creek snowmobile bridge out until February

IRONWOOD - The July 11 storm is affecting winter tourism on the Gogebic Range.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has temporarily closed snowmobile Trail 160 because of damage from the storm, including wiping out the Mud Creek bridge.

The 25-mile-long trail heads north from Trail 2 in Ironwood, connecting to the Wisconsin trail system at the mouth of the Montreal River, near Saxon Harbor.

"Damage to the bridge abutments was extensive and resulted in a permanent closure until the bridge is replaced," said Jeff Kakuk, DNR western U.P. trails specialist.

The Gogebic Range Trail Authority, the snowmobile trail sponsor, prepared cost estimates for Trail 160 work and received grant funding for trail repairs and bridge replacement.

"Riders are asked to please respect the trail closure as the majority of this trail is located on private lands," Kakuk said.

He said the trail crosses Mud Creek in a remote area, with other crossing options miles away, leaving the DNR no viable alternative to keep the trail open.

Engineering for the Mud Creek bridge was under way when the severe storms hit.

"The project scope had to be changed," Kakuk said.

The trail authority conducted an inspection of the trail and was able to develop cost estimates and secure funding for the repairs.

"The extensive storm damage in surrounding communities resulted in delays to trail repair projects," Kakuk said. "Most of the priority trail repairs have now been completed and the bridge engineering and permitting is also complete."

Bids for construction and installation of the bridge will soon be let in hopes of installing the span this winter. Kakuk said the DNR hopes the bridge project can be completed by mid-February.

The funding is coming from a grant from the Snowmobile Trail Improvement Fund.

-Ralph Ansami