2022 Priority Projects

Our 2022 Priority projects include:

Finish the Negaunee Township trailhead project at M35/CR492.  This project, funded partially by a Michigan Recreation Passport Grant, will provide paved parking, a vault toilet, signage, benches, bike racks, landscaping, reuse of donated artwork, and an accessible pathway from parking to main IOHT.  Project should be finalized summer of 2022

Asphalt Repair in Ishpeming and Negaunee. We have identified over 1100 linear feet of asphalt trail that needs replacement due to tree roots. We have marked with paint all the areas between Winthrop Junction (Washington Street, Ishpeming to east of the CN r/r crossing in NEgaunee where asphalt needs to be ripped up, roots taken care of below asphalt, and new 2″ asphalt cap.  RFP will be going out in Spring 2022 .

Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund Grant applications for two projects:  1) Acquisition of 176 acres in Negaunee/Marquette Twps with access from main IOHT to build an IOHT single track trail park.  Once acquired, we would build 17 miles of new single track trail for hikers, mountain bikers, snowshoers, and snow bikes.

2) Five mile extension of non-motorized trail from Kawbawgam Road to Lakenenland.  Currently there is a managed ORV/snowmobile trail and we would build a separate, parallel trail for non-motorized users.  Project would consist of new bike aggregate surfacing to accommodate walkers, bikers, snow bikers, wheel chair users, and strollers.

Develop plans and bid documents for Negaunee Boardwalk Project:  We were awarded funding for the Negaunee Boardwalk funding and will work towards bidding out this project summer/fall of 2022.  Project calls for an extension of asphalt and boardwalk through the wetlands in East Negaunee with overlooks and interpretive signage and seating areas.

Develop plans for new Trailhead at Winthrop Junction: Thanks to a lease of land from Dan Perkins, we can build a larger parking area to accommodate snowmobiles/ORVs/other users near Winthrop Junction on Washington Street in Ishpeming.

ORV Trail Maintenance:  Through an ORV Grant, we will grade the trail from Winthrop to Republic.  Fill will be added in Tilden Township.

Interpretive Signage:  Placement of 5 new signs (2 at Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum), Tilden Mine at Howard Oil site in Ishpeming, Coal Era and Mining Energy through the Ages in Lower Harbor, plus continued work on more.  Ideas for next signage include Ski Jumping Origins on the Marquette Iron Range, Transformation of the Lower Harbor, Miners Strike of 1865

 

heritage trail rec plan 2018 2023 amended