Rail trail from Montague to Rothbury expected to open Aug. 10

GRANT TWP. — Paving on Segment 1 (Montague to Rothbury) of the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Rail Trail rebuild project is complete.

However, the segment remains closed for use until all the signs, restoration, and sidewalk at the street approaches are finished.

“We expect to be opening Segment 1 and shifting our efforts to Segment 3 (Shelby to Hart) on or around Monday, Aug. 10,” states Michigan Department of Transportation Assistant Construction Engineer Leo A. Evans.

“In addition, materials for the reconstruction of the trestle bridge (located just north of M-20/Hayes Road – near Country Dairy) have arrived and we plan to begin that work (Wednesday, July 29). During the reconstruction of the trestle bridge, the trail will remain open except for the stretch between Hayes Road (M-20) and 80th Street. Between Hayes Road and 80th Street, trail traffic will be detoured onto Old US-31 around the work area. Reconstruction of the trestle bridge superstructure is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete.”

Work on the trail is part of a $4.5 million project to rebuild the 22-mile path.