The Department of Natural Resources today announced that portions of the Little Manistee Motorcycle and North Missuakee Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) trails will remain closed until mid-December. This temporary closure is necessary to complete construction of three bridges.

Two bridges in Lake County, one crossing the Little Manistee River and the other at Syers Creek, have resulted in a three-mile closure along the western portion of the Little Manistee Motorcycle Trail and Route. It is closed from the Club M-37 staging area north to the 7 Mile trailhead. The third bridge, located in Wexford County over Morrissy Creek, has required ORV users to follow a signed reroute in order to bypass the structure.

These three bridges also are an integral part of the snowmobile trail system in these areas. "Initially, we had hoped to finish the bridges before snowmobile season, but the wet weather in October delayed the construction process," said Todd Neiss, DNR Western Lower Peninsula recreation specialist. "As soon as the new bridges are safe to cross, we will open the trails to traffic, including snowmobiles."

Questions may be directed to Amanda Matelski, DNR trails analyst, at (231) 775-9727, ext. 6044. Information regarding other ORV/ATV riding opportunities may be found on the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.