Upper Peninsula Trail Work to Increase Visibility, Safety

Work is beginning on an Upper Peninsula trail to clear overgrown sections and address safety issues caused by poor visibility.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says contractors will start working to clear vegetation from five segments of the Houghton-to-Chassell Rail Trail on Monday. Work is scheduled to end Nov. 14.

The department is encouraging landowners to remove landscaping and plantings that encroach on the trail. The agency’s trail standards call for a clear path of at least 14 feet wide by 10 feet high. Major intersections need to be at least 30 feet wide.

“We have identified some properties adjacent to the trail where landscape plantings have encroached on the trail corridor,” said Parks and Recreation Supervisor Dan Dowdy. “Those properties have been omitted from this brushing project. However, landowners are encouraged to remove or relocate any plantings or landscape structures found within the trail’s minimum clearance standards to allow for current and future improvements.”

The improvement project is supported by a Recreation Trails Program grant funded by the Federal Highway Administration.