Progress on the Fruit Belt Rail Trail
Consumers Energy has finished its gas pipeline upgrade and the Fruit Belt Rail Trail (FBRT) is now open for public use until construction begins. The FBRT project has gone out to bid, with construction expected to start in early 2026 and be completed by November 2026.
Construction will include a 10-foot-wide crushed limestone non-motorized trail with trailhead parking areas, benches, a bike repair station, wayfinding signs, and distance markers.
A community grand opening celebration is planned once the work is finished.
A bit of history: between 1852 and 1924 the Fruit Belt Rail Line ran from Kalamazoo to South Haven, swinging south through the fruit-producing towns of Oshtemo, Mattawan, Paw Paw, Lawrence, and Hartford. Today, 14 miles of the original corridor are enjoyed as Michigan DNR’s Van Buren Trail, and communities along the remainder of the line are working to create a continuous trail across the whole corridor. This FBRT segment is the first section to be built in Kalamazoo County. When the entire Fruit Belt Trail is complete and connects with the existing Kal-Haven Trail, the two will form a unique, 70-mile loop of regional and statewide significance.
Please enjoy the trail while it is open, it will close again when work ramps up next year. Stay tuned for improvement updates and grand opening details!
Check out the Fruit Belt Rail Trail Master Plan for more exciting details!