Field Grants

Thanks to Field Grant funding, the NCTA Marquette Area Chapter completed a complicated bridge project in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. “Updating this bridge has been on our Chapter’s radar for many years, but the biggest obstacle has been the bridge’s extremely remote location,” explained Chapter leader Michael Sekely. “It spans the West Branch Peshekee River, some 47 miles from Marquette. Getting there includes 7 miles on two-track roads that eventually become so rough, they’re impassible with passenger vehicles. …We were able to haul supplies with a four-wheeler about 800 yards beyond that. Then, due to the rugged, sloped terrain, use of any mechanized machinery abruptly ends 100 yards from the bridge, so everything is manually hauled from that point.” Because of these incredible volunteer efforts, there’s now a much safer way for North Country Trail users to cross the river here.