Construction on a bike trail off Highway 11 east will resume this summer after a more than two-year deal.
The 1.73 mile long bike trail will connect to the existing Koochiching County and Rainy Lake Trail which starts in International Falls and now ends near Thunderbird Lodge. The addition to the trail will follow alongside County Road 96, which leads into the parking area at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center in Voyageurs National Park.
“We’re excited for the trail to be open this year,” said William Carlson, facility manager at VNP.
The park trail section meanders away from the highway, and will let people see more of the forested areas in VNP once it opens in October. The trail also has a nice outlook over Krause Bay, Carlson said.
The trail is expected to cost $1.2 million, the majority of which will be funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. VNP will also contribute funds to cover costs, Carlson said.
Work on the 10-foot wide asphalt trail began in late fall of 2011, and was expected to be finished earlier than the contract required because of optimal weather for construction that year. According to park officials, it was delayed until now because of issues with the previous contractor.
A new contract will be awarded within the next few weeks, according to Carlson, so that construction can once again begin on the long awaited trail.
