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Trail alliance reports reroutes, bridge work and grooming funding; county receives $62,000 yearly for grooming
Summary
The local trail alliance described trail reroutes, right-of-way coordination with DOT, bridge replacement planning and grant applications; the county receives $62,000 annually for grooming and maintenance, and the alliance sought additional grant funding for storage and infrastructure.
A representative of the local trail alliance reported on summer trail work, reroutes, coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, bridge repairs and grant applications for trail infrastructure.
The alliance said it rerouted part of a trail along a property next to Highway 112 after obtaining permission to use right-of-way. The group closed washed-out sections, repaired approach ramps and filled large holes; the U.S. Forest Service donated 75 yards of gravel for trail repair and cleared windthrown trees in affected sections.
The alliance reported one bridge on the trail will need replacement and that the snowmobile council approved replacement of a different bridge (work expected around 2026). The alliance said contractor Freddie Biles will split the bridge repair costs in phases and that landowners such as Matt Rudnick have tentatively allowed a relocated bridge on their property. The group said a new bridge paralleling the highway would require county and DOT involvement and could be a large structure (potentially more than 100 feet), with additional permitting and long-term ownership considerations.
The alliance reported it applied for two grants—$50,000 from Enbridge and $10,000 from Polaris—and said donated land and past grant funds have been used to build a shed for equipment storage. The group said it has spent roughly $12,000–$15,000 on materials and rentals so far this season and that it purchased directors-and-officers (E&O) liability insurance.
On grooming and maintenance funding, the alliance said the county receives $62,000 per year to cover grooming, dirt work, bulldozing, gravel, brushing and signage. Alliance representatives said adding trail miles increases grooming funding and helps secure funds for operations; they also expressed difficulty recruiting volunteers and noted most maintenance relies on a small core group of volunteers and contractors.
The alliance asked the county to continue coordination on bridge permits and landowner easements; committee members recommended continued work with county staff, DOT and landowners to secure permits and long-term access.
