Ann Arbor's Beloved B2B Trail Faces Indefinite Closure Due to Sinkhole Threat

It's a bit of a blow for local walkers, runners, and cyclists: a significant stretch of Ann Arbor's cherished Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail is now off-limits, and it's not just for a little while. The closure, impacting a much-loved pathway within Gallup Park, is indefinite, all thanks to some rather serious sinkhole concerns. Imagine going for your usual stroll or ride, only to find your favorite route blocked – that's the reality facing countless Ann Arbor residents right now.

The affected part of the trail snakes between the Geddes Dam and the Gallup Park fishing pond, a truly scenic area along the Huron River. City officials initially discovered a worrying sinkhole above one of the culverts back in July of 2026. After a closer look, the city's parks department made the tough decision to shut the path in early September, confirming the indefinite nature of the closure on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The news spread quickly, and by September 17th, it was clear this wasn't a temporary inconvenience.

So, what's really going on beneath our feet? Well, the culprit, it turns out, is a trio of stormwater culverts buried deep under the trail. These essential pipes connect South Pond to the Huron River, and unfortunately, they're showing their age – and not in a good way. Underwater inspections painted a grim picture: severe corrosion, pipe joints literally pulling apart, and, most alarmingly, active soil loss. Essentially, the ground beneath the trail is washing away into these damaged culverts, creating dangerous underground voids. To give you some context, metal extensions on two of these culverts have been diligently working since the 1960s, meaning they've well and truly reached the end of their lifespan.

This isn't just any old path we're talking about; this is a vital artery of the Border-to-Border Trail. Gallup Park itself is Ann Arbor's most popular recreation spot, and this particular segment of the B2B is known to be one of its busiest corridors. Think about it: the entire B2B Trail spans a remarkable 55 miles across Washtenaw County, with nearly 43 miles already completed, and some sections see an incredible 400,000 to 600,000 users annually, as Project Manager Roy Townsend from the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission highlighted in an August 2026 interview. Closing such a key link has a ripple effect.

The city isn't sitting idly by, of course. They've already started the process of bringing in an engineering firm. The goal? To evaluate potential temporary fixes that might allow the trail to reopen sooner, while simultaneously designing a permanent, robust repair. Ideas on the table include everything from temporary structures to a full replacement of the failed culvert extensions, alongside stabilizing the surrounding soil and embankment. However, here's where the patience comes in: there's currently no timeline for either temporary solutions or the permanent repair. Costs, construction schedules, and a definitive reopening date are all up in the air right now. Plus, a project of this scale will require additional engineering, environmental reviews, various permits, and careful coordination with both state and federal agencies. It's a complex undertaking.

For now, those who rely on this connection will have to find alternative routes, as there isn't a direct detour that fully replaces the closed section. It's a challenging situation for a community that cherishes its outdoor spaces and trails. We'll certainly be keeping an eye on updates from the City of Ann Arbor, hoping for swift progress on getting this vital part of the Border-to-Border Trail safely reopened for everyone to enjoy once again.