Politics & Government

New Trail in Rosemount Will Increase Safety for Bikers

The trail, part of a larger county project, is scheduled to open in 2013.

Soon Rosemount’s bicyclists won’t need to worry about the city’s lack of safe and accessible bike paths.

On Nov. 7, Dakota County officials met with the City Council to present plans for the construction a segment of the Mississippi River Regional Trail project in Rosemount.

“The future looks good,” said Bruce Blair, Dakota County Parks Department Manager of Facilities Development, in reference to the future of Rosemount’s bike trails.

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According to the meeting agenda, when completed, the Mississippi River Regional Trail will follow a 27 mile route from St. Paul to Hastings. The 3.8 mile section located in Rosemount will run from 117th Street East to Spring Lake Park Preserve.

The 10-foot wide trail will provide a safe transportation option for pedestrians and cyclists. Eventually, the trail will function as a backbone to connect local bike paths and parks. It will also include river views with the potential for scenic overlooks.

Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The entire Mississippi River Regional Trail will be completed in 2014. Construction on the segment in Rosemount will begin in late 2012, and the trail will open to the public in 2013. Certain sections of the trail, such as the stretch from South St. Paul to Inver Grove Heights, are already completed and open for use.

“It’s nice to see that project coming through Rosemount in a timely manner,” said Dwight Johnson, Rosemount city administrator.

Currently, the estimated construction cost of the trail segment is $3.2 million. The design of the Rosemount trail section is currently underway. Although a portion of the trail will be built in Rosemount, the city is not paying any construction costs. The funding for the trail has been provided by various grants and by Dakota County.

There will be a more public presentation of the plans for the Rosemount section of the Mississippi River Regional Trail on Dec. 6.


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