The Department of Natural Resources today announced that portions of the Little Manistee Motorcycle and North Missaukee Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) trails will be closed this fall to provide for the construction of three bridges. The DNR anticipates completion of these three structures prior to the 2009-2010 snowmobile season.

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

After assessment by a private engineering firm, it was determined that all three bridges were in need of replacement due to aging bridge components which compromises the safety of users.

"Unfortunately, there is no good time to close these trails, but considering spring time frost restrictions, heavy summer ORV use, and inclement winter construction weather, the fall season is the best choice," said Todd Neiss, DNR Western Lower Peninsula recreation specialist. "Hunting season may be impacted, but there are alternate access routes within close proximity to the bridges that will still provide opportunities to hunt on state land."

The project is being funded through a federal Recreation Trails Program (RTP) Grant administered by the DNR. RTP grant funding is derived from federal Department of Transportation gas tax revenues. It is used exclusively for recreation trail development projects and cannot be applied toward non-recreation projects.

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.