County Trail Update

In an exclusive conversation I had this week with Project engineer Devin Kubik, I found out much more regarding the trail taking shape on the edge of Highway 61 just over the river into Washington county. Massive side dumping trucks rotate into then quickly out of the target zone at the bottom of the hill on northbound 61. Kubik is in charged charge of the day-to-day oversight in the construction of this link of the more than 2 mile boring thru the dense woods which will create a recreational avenue for non-motorized travelers once completed. I asked about the scope of the long anticipated trail, and found out nearly 40,000 yards of fill will build up the deep crevice, with alternating layers of sand, mesh and rock that will stabilize the entrance into the trail from the west. From a depth of almost 30 feet at the beginning, to a gradually terraced 4 percent grade incline, weeks of grading and packing have turned the ravine from green to brown. The work is expected to continue on schedule once the trail can support the heavy equipment necessary for the eventual asphalt paving that will complete this segment before the end of October. Kubik was emphatic that there is still much more to do, including the challenging connection that will place a bridge over the railroad tracks to the south as well as the connection once into Prescott where the trail will wrap around the existing west bank under the Prescott bridge then back into Point Douglas Park. Kubik also emphasized that travel on the trail will not be allowed until next summer at least, with the installation of a 5 foot decorative fence to be installed on the outer edge of the trail for biking and pedestrian safety, soil stabilizing plantings and standard height curbing to ensure proper drainage. Once completed the access should be a haven for biking, skating and pedestrian use, with the connection providing miles of uninterrupted access between several Dakota County cities. A video has been posted of the work on the KDWA.com webpage.