Closed snowmobile trail back in service

WETMORE — A snowmobile trail in Alger County is back open after a controversial closure.

Alger County Road Commission officials say that their board agreed unanimously to once again allow Trail #422 to pass along a portion of Highway 58 at a meeting Thursday afternoon. The Munising Visitor’s Bureau pledged to supply $5,900 to repair snowmobile and groomer damage to the section of Highway 58 that is currently used by the trail. The Bureau also agreed to provide written commitment to assemble an alternate route by next December.

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources representative present at the meeting said the department would support and help expedite the approval process of an alternate route. The DNR initially closed the trail after the road commission decided not to grant access to the highway portion due to damage that was causing a hazard for motorists and an annual expense to the commission.