The Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNFs) will close the Manistee River Suspension Bridge from Sept. 30 to Nov. 11 for preventative maintenance.
Hikers can still enjoy the Manistee River Trail (MRT) south of the bridge with point-to-point or out-and-back excursions. The project will not impact the use of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT).
Known locally as the “Little Mac” Bridge, the pedestrian bridge spans 166 feet over the Manistee River downstream of the Hodenpyl Dam. It connects the popular MRT to the 4,800-mile NCT, completing a 20-mile non-motorized trail loop which attracts many forest visitors.
There is no alternate route for forest visitors planning to complete the loop while the bridge is closed.
”The Manistee River Suspension Bridge is the most technical bridge on the Forests. Since built in 1996, no major structural work [was] done. This closure is crucial to maintaining the bridge in good repair,” said Forest Service Civil Engineer Jon Meeks.
According to Meeks, the project will upgrade components with new materials to include new galvanized hardware, decking, railing, curbing, galvanized paint on hard-to-reach components, needle beams, which support the bridge from the main cable, as well as a few new stringers.
Meeks added that visitor use and weather conditions were considered when scheduling the maintenance work. Forest visitors are encouraged to monitor the HMNF’s website for project updates.
Funding for this project is made possible through the Federal Lands Transportation Program and its partnership with several federal land management agencies.
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration oversees the program, whose goal is to provide safe and sustainable access to national parks and other federal lands through transportation infrastructure.