news
ESCANABA--Michigan Department of Transportation Director James R. DeSana today announced the awarding of a $250,000 Transportation Enhancement Grant for the construction of a fishing access platform on the US-2/41 and M-35 highway bridge that spans the Escanaba River. The bridge links the communities of Escanaba and Gladstone in Delta County.
The 350-foot fishing platform will run the entire east side of the existing highway bridge, and will allow anglers to fish in an area of the river that until now has been almost inaccessible, while still allowing the traffic to flow uninterrupted. "Currently, the only access anglers have to this portion of the river is from the shore in Pioneer Trail Park or by boat," said George Madison, DNR Fisheries Biologist, who is DNR project coordinator. "This fishing platform will provide access to a highly productive fishery that has been nearly impossible to reach."
"The Department of Transportation is very pleased to partner with the DNR and the local community on this project to provide safe access to the Escanaba River at this location, away from the heavy traffic on the bridge," said Transportation Director DeSana. "We also are excited that the bridge platform will become part of a designated non-motorized trail that eventually will connect Escanaba and Gladstone when the entire project is completed."
Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County also is a partner in the fishing access platform project, which is expected to be completed next spring.
Uploaded: 10/7/1999
Uploaded: 10/7/1999