I'll be watching this thread/news closely, have a tripped planned to Michigamme the first part of February, and this section of trail being closed will really put a cramp in the available loops to ride. I think the DNR/MSA/Moose Country Club understands the importance of the trail 8 corridor to the snowmobiling/tourism economy, and I'm optimistic they can stick to their "schedule" of a mid-January re-opening.