JEFFERSON TWP. — The aging Blackbridge Road rail bridge has been in deteriorating condition for years, having been taken out of service several years ago for rail use.
The rail right of way, part of the North Country Trail, came under ownership of the city of Hillsdale after the railroad track was decommissioned and much of the track has long since vanished.
The Blackbridge Road rail bridge was deemed unsafe and the NCT’s Chief Baw Beese Chapter — a group of dedicated hikers who work to build and maintain the trail in Hillsdale County — began work to replace the bridge to make it safe again for recreational use.
At the March 7 Hillsdale City Council meeting, the council approved an agreement with the NCT Chief Baw Beese Chapter to maintain this section of trail owned by the city, which included repairing the bridge.
The hiking group began fundraising this spring during Osseo’s Great Mushroom Festival and continued through Jonesville’s Riverfest and Litchfield Sweet Corn Days.
Grants from the North Country Trail Association and the National Park Service and a generous donation from Hillsdale’s Rotary Club allowed for demolition of the old bridge to begin in August and construction of the new bridge to begin earlier this month.
“We expect to be completed by Sept. 17,” Bruce Dziadzio said. “Many members of the community and the entire state enjoy using this section of trail and the old bridge had become very unsafe. The new bridge will be welcomed by hikers, runners and bikers from near and far.”
The North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest in the National Trails System, stretching 4,800 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont, traversing forests and farmlands, remote terrain and nearby communities. The North Country Trail Association's mission is to develop, maintain, protect and promote the trail through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners.
The NCT Chief Baw Beese Chapter wised to thank their many donors and especially Jake Hammel. Hillsdale’s former Director of Public Services, the city’s attorney, John Lovinger and Jason Blake, the current director of Public Services for their assistance in making the bridge replacement possible.