The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is set to begin reconstruction of bike and pedestrian trails along West River Parkway between Franklin Avenue and Godfrey Parkway (Minnehaha Park) Monday, July 13. Work will begin first on the section from Godfrey Parkway to Lake Street, which will be closed as of Monday, July 13 and will remain closed until the section of trail is complete. Assuming weather conditions remain favorable, this is expected to take between four and six weeks. Once the first half of the trail has been completed, it will reopen and work will begin on the north section. The trails will then be closed between Lake Street and Franklin Avenue.
Currently in poor condition, the trails will be upgraded to current design and safety standards. Reconstruction will provide improved trail safety and durability, separated bike and pedestrian trails where possible, and river bluff protection and enhancement. The project also includes signage, site furnishings, lighting, drinking water fountains and landscaping.
A public hearing was held in December 2008 regarding the planned trail improvements. The original plan called for concrete trails, but in response to public concerns about concrete, the MPRB will use bituminous for the new trails’ surface. Concrete had been considered for longevity and ease of maintenance, but because of the narrow stretch of this segment of regional parkland, it was determined that bituminous would be more appropriate.
The project is being funded with a combination of Federal TEA-21 transportation funds, Met Council funds, a Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) grant, City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County.
For further information contact Nick Eoloff, project manager at 612-230-6465 or e-mail neoloff@minneapolisparks.org.
