A significant infrastructure project is set to begin at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore as the Miners River Bridge is scheduled for a complete replacement due to structural issues. The National Park Service announced that starting August 15, 2024, the bridge will experience phased closures, leading to a full closure from September 2, 2024, until Memorial Day on May 26, 2025.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has recommended the replacement of the bridge, citing its advanced age, deteriorating condition, and inadequate capacity for projected increases in visitor use. Constructed in 1953, before the establishment of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the bridge’s abutments have begun to settle, showing visible cracks, and its weight rating has been reduced. The FHWA has given the bridge a rating of fair to poor, indicating that the structure is seriously deficient.
Impact on Local Traffic and Tourism Despite concerns about the bridge’s closure affecting local traffic and tourism, City Manager Devin Olson clarified the city’s position. “The Miners River Bridge Project is an NPS project and has had no involvement with the city. The project location is within the NPS boundaries and is over 10 miles from the city limits,” Olson stated. He further mentioned that the closure “should have no impact on traffic in the city.”
Visitors planning to access Miners Beach will need to adjust their travel plans, as the area will only be accessible by foot via the North Country National Scenic Trail from Miners Castle, which remains open.
Environmental Considerations and Community Response The National Park Service has implemented stringent measures to ensure the project does not negatively impact the surrounding environment or cultural sites. “Measures to protect natural resources will be implementedpriorto,during, and after construction,” stated Hannah Bradburn, Visual Information Specialist at Pictured Rocks. These measures include monitoring water quality and controlling invasive species.
After a thorough analysis in 2022, the bridge replacement project was categorized as not likely to have a significant impact on the surrounding environment, a classification that does not require a public comment period. This categorization is common for most projects administered by the FHWA.
Information and Updates For those seeking more information on the bridge closure and the project, updates will be available on the National Park Service’s website and through their social media channels. Despite the disruptions, officials are working to ensure that the replacement causes minimal inconvenience and that all safety and environmental standards are rigorously maintained.
As the project progresses, both the city and the National Park Service assure the public that they are committed to transparency and keeping the community and visitors well-informed.
For further details, visit http://www.nps.gov/ piro or follow the updates on Facebook @ PicturedRocksNL and Instagram @ picturedrocksnps.
