Western Gateway Trail to reach Bessemer in fall 2016

IRONWOOD — Following a “successful” phase I of the Western Gateway Trail project, the trail authority looks to trek on.

Construction of phase I in Ironwood began earlier in the summer and was completed in mid-July.

Ironwood City Manager Scott Erickson said local residents love hiking and riding on it.

“We’ve had nothing but positive feedback on the trail,” he said. “We’ve seen everybody from young families to hikers using it.”

The authority has its sights on the second and third phases of the project. Erickson said the authority will accept bids for phase II this winter.

Paul Anderson, Coleman Engineering project manager, said construction on phase II, which will stretch to Bessemer, is expected to begin in late May or early June, 2016, and be completed by fall.

According to the authority, the Western Gateway Trail will cost $1,830,000.

Phase I is $225,000. Further down the line, Anderson said funding for phase II comes from a $1.27 million Michigan Department of Transportation Tap Grant, a $293,000 Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant and $268,000 of donations from the Western Upper Peninsula Convention and Visitors Bureau over five years.

The Western Gateway Trail runs along the former Soo Railroad grade. Phase I is from the Montreal River Bridge to Crestview Road in Ironwood near the Keweenaw Land log yard. From there, phase II will run all the way to Moore Street in Bessemer. Phase III will continue to Sunday Lake in Wakefield.

Along the way, Anderson said walkers and bikers will go over four bridges. The first bridge bridge is located at Siemens Creek, east of the Gogebic County Transfer Station.

The second bridge is where the non-motorized trail merges with the motorized one at the Siemens Creek area.

The other two bridges are known as “Little Bridge” and “Big Bridge.”

Big Bridge is over First Avenue in Bessemer and Little Bridge is in Bessemer, too.

When Phase II is completed, Erickson said the trail will be an even more popular attraction,

“Phase II will enhance the whole trail,” he said. “The extra distance to Bessemer will make it more attractive to hikers and bikers (with) locations on the trail.”

According to the authority, work on Phase III has begun. Together, the group has selected a preferred route and is looking at other options. The authority is also talking to property owners and the DNR to get it established.

Erickson sad the trail authority was formed in 2013 to help establish and maintain a trail to be part of the Iron Belle Trail to Detroit.