The boardwalk and bridge are currently under construction and connect to the trail by crossing over Swedetown Creek and wetlands which will allow visitors to the trails to experience cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and biking.

The bridge is 12 feet across, and held up by 24-foot laminate beams stabilized with joists and then the top is made of pine decking. The bridge rests on top of cribs pinned together with rebar. These are filled with mine rock to protect the stream bed.

The bridge is designed to accommodate snow grooming equipment for the winter months and the wood has been treated to withstand the harsh Keweenaw weather.

After the bridge will lie a 96-foot boardwalk going over the wetland with similar preservative measures as the bridge. The two structures lie at the bottom of the declining trail of which has been improved with new paths made wider and flatter to better accommodate beginner cross country skiers.

Volunteers work on the bridge on Maasto Hiihto’s Trail 17, which goes over Swedetown Creek in Hancock. (Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette)

The structures have been worked on whenever the volunteers are able to find the free time for construction usually consisting of twice a week for about four hours.

Weubben Construction has handled most of the excavation labor for the project, though they have done more such as stump grinding. While most of the labor has been voluntary, the cost for material were still needed and came in the form of a grant from Visit Keweenaw for $17,000, a $10,000 donation from Secretary of the Hancock Trails Club Board of Directors Keith Meyers and his family and other members’ monetary donations.

The project was approved beforehand with EGLE to ensure the structures and overall project was within state regulations.

Meyers is hoping the project will reach completion for use before the full arrival of winter.

“It’s not only for our people who live here in our community, but also as a destination for people who might be looking to mountain bike or to ski from from other parts of the country,” he said. “I mean, this is really a great destination to come and do those things.”

Myers said that the best way to access the trail will be from the Tomasi Trailhead, since the roads surrounding the boardwalk and bridge are supposed to be not for public use.