MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A long-awaited expansion of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail is officially underway in Chocolay Township.
Construction began earlier today on a 4.3-mile extension connecting the trail’s current terminus at Kawbawgam Road all the way to Lakenenland Sculpture Park.
The roughly $450,000 project, funded primarily through Michigan DNR and Michigan Trails Grants, will upgrade the existing railbed with a crushed aggregate surface, and add ADA-accessible parking, bike racks, and interpretive panels at the Lakenenland Trailhead.
Completion is expected the week of September 14th, weather permitting.
Trail Administrator Bob Hendrickson says this extension has been years in the making. “This project has been on the list for a long time. Expanding the trail while looking at certain features we want to attend to, we really want to give the trail users a destination point to travel to,” says Hendrickson. “Although we have a small pocket park at Kawbawgam, we would like to see a little more draw to it.”
The trail remains open during construction, users are asked to use caution near active work areas. Updates on the project can be found at ironoreheritage.com and on their Facebook page.
