Periodic Closures of the Midtown Greenway Set to Begin August 13th

Starting Monday, August 13th cyclists that use the Midtown Greenway need to be aware of rolling closures that will take place in four phases running west to east.  The closure time of each phase is expected to last 2-3 days.  Detours for the closed sections will be marked and weather conditions could cause construction delays.  The work will be done on weekdays leaving the trail open on the weekends.

The City of Minneapolis sent out the following information to its Bicycle & Pedestrian Update Subscribers:

Beginning Monday, August 13, 2012, the Midtown Greenway will experience periodic closures between Abbott Avenue South and Hiawatha Avenue South. The Kenilworth Trail between the Midtown Greenway and Cedar Lake Parkway will also experience closures.

Full closures of the trails are needed to perform joint sealing and sand sealing work that will help preserve the trail surface for at least 10 years. The closures will occur in four phases - running west to east - each lasting 2-3 days. Marked detours will be provided. The work schedule is tentative and may change due to weather conditions or construction delays. The trail will remain open on weekends.

Detours and daily updates will be posted at www.minneapolismn.gov/

bicycles/detours.

Phase 1 - map

Midtown Greenway from Abbott Avenue South and East Calhoun Parkway

Kenilworth Trail from Midtown Greenway and Cedar Lake Parkway

Phase 2 - map

Midtown Greenway from East Calhoun Parkway and Colfax Avenue South

Phase 3 - map

Midtown Greenway from Colfax Avenue South and 10^th Avenue South

Phase 4 - map

Midtown Greenway from 11^th Avenue South and Hiawatha Avenue South

This work will not impact the Sabo Bridge or the Midtown Greenway east of Hiawatha.

Note: The Dean Parkway ramp at the Midtown Greenway will remained closed into September as part of the Metropolitan Council’s Sewer Improvements Project. More information about that project can be found here.

Please stay off closed trails and follow marked detours. A full closure of the trail is needed to allow crews to work safely and ensure that the new trail surface can properly dry and cure. If bicyclists and pedestrians use the trail before it is fully dry, the surface may be damaged, requiring additional, costs, maintenance and closures.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

If you would like to subscribe to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Update, visit http://www.minneapolismn.gov/bicycles/email-updates  and follow the instructions.

To see a map of the latest detours and trail closures go the City of Minneapolis Bicycle Detour page.

Bike Trail Picture of the Day - 8/8/12

Along the river and through the woods

Taken 8/8/12

Location:  Crosby Farm Regional Park

St. Paul, MN

Bike Trail Picture of the Day - 8/7/12

Morning ride around the lakes

Taken 8/7/12

Location:  Lake Calhoun

Chain of Lakes Byway District

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

Minneapolis, MN

The Entire Midtown Greenway to be Repaved

The entire span of the Midtown Greenway will be repaved.  I received an e-mail message from Midtown Greenway Coalition Executive Director Soren Jensen that stated "All three sections of the Midtown Greenway are going to be repaved, starting with Phase I (the section by the Lakes) this week.   The entire project is expected to take about two weeks, with rolling detours moving Eastward."  However, an update on the Coalition's Facebook and Twitter pages states the project has been pushed back to start the week of August 13th.

According to the Midtown Greenway Coalition's Twitter account, "The trail will likely stay open on weekends."  Their Facebook page stated "Watch for detours. Hang in there, everyone -- it will look great when it's done!"

For more information and updates on this project, follow the Midtown Greenway Coalition on Twitter or Facebook.  If you would like to sign up to receive the Midtown Greenway Coalition's e-newsletter and e-mail updates, click here.

Bike Trail Picture of the Day - 8/5/12

Free Valet Bike Parking compliments of Nice Ride MN

Taken 8/5/12

Location:  Uptown Art Fair

Humbolt Ave. S. at the Midtown Greenway

Minneapolis, MN

MN DNR Closing Two Sections of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail for Improvements

The Minnesota DNR will be closing two sections of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail for construction improvements starting Monday, August 6th, weather permitting.  This is part of a three year plan to rebuild the entire 39 mile trail.  A 20 mile stretch of the trail will remain open west of Sakatah Lake State Park in Waterville

Closed will be a 14.7 mile stretch from Waterville east to Faribault.  Trail use will not be allowed and no detour will be provided.  The MN DNR expects completion of this section, which will include a re-grade and new blacktop, by October 31st.  If you plan on using the open section of the trail, it can be accessed from the east at the wayside rest area in Elysian as the Waterville parking area will be closed.  To see a temporary closure map, click here.

1.5 miles near Mankato from the Lime Valley Parking lot east to the old #12 bridge is the other section to close.  Culvert repair work and blacktop replacement are the improvements being made to this section.  Trail users can access the trail from the west by parking in the Eagle Lake lot.   

For more information and updates on the construction improvements, visit the DNR's Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail page or call the DNR Information Center Monday through Friday between 8:00 am & 4:30 pm at 651-296-6157 or toll free 888-646-6367.

Cannon Valley Trail "Connect It Benefit Party" on Saturday, August 11

Show your support for connecting the Cannon Valley Trail to the Mill Towns State Trail by attending the the Cannon Valley Trail Connect It Benefit Party.  Join others from the Parks & Trails Council, the Cannon Valley Trail and the Mill Towns State Trail in support of a critical three mile section that would link the two trails.

There will be a social, $3 meat or veggie burgers, $2.50 old fashioned root beer floats and live music from Pennyroyal.  Erik the Bike Man will be on hand with gear tips and equipment demonstrations.  It all takes place on Saturday, August 11th from 11 am to 3 pm at the Welch Station on the Cannon Valley Trail.  A Wheel Pass is required to ride the trail and can be obtained at the Red Wing Trailhead, Cannon Falls Trailhead and the Welch Station.

Let's get it connected.