Department of Natural Resources officials today announced that a surface improvement project for the 62-mile Gaylord to Mackinaw City Rail Trail has begun this week in Gaylord. The multipurpose recreational trail, which is 10 feet wide, is being upgraded to a surface of crushed limestone to provide a compact, smooth surface similar to asphalt.

When completed, the former railroad corridor, which was acquired by the state between 1996 and 2000, will provide year-round, safe, enjoyable recreational trail experiences for multiple users and provide an economic boost to the communities along its route.

The project is being funded through a $1.48 million federal transportation enhancement grant administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation and by state and local matching funds contributed by the DNR's recreational trails program and by more than 40 local governmental units, businesses and other organizations.

As work on the trail progresses through the summer, individual trail segments will be closed temporarily and reopened as work on each segment is completed. The work is scheduled to be completed by November.