Outdoor enthusiasts and trail buffs in Saginaw and Tuscola counties will need to find an alternate path at the end of this month. The Hager Line Rail-Trail, a popular 9.6-mile stretch from Towerline Road to M-15, will shut down for a much-needed revamp worth about $1 million, as revealed by ABC12. The comprehensive project promises to deliver milling, resurfacing, bridge deck repairs, and fresh pavement markings, but before the pavement paradise is restored, trail-goers will have to take a hiatus from July 28 through November 14.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, the closures are part of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's infrastructure campaign, which aims to fix and enhance the state's transportation network, echoing her commitment to "grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely." Amidst the closures, proactive tree trimming efforts are already scheduled in preparation for the improvements, so users are being urged to maintain vigilance during this period, as the existing trail could present some unforeseen hurdles.
Local communities, including Richville, Frankentrost, and Buena Vista, will be impacted by the closure, although the project's end goal is to provide a safer and smoother experience for those who frequent the trail, hence the temporary inconvenience. Trail enthusiasts will need to exercise patience as the trail undergoes its transformation, with the promise of a revitalized path awaiting at the end of the construction rainbow.
