Bridge construction begins on Heartland State Trail in Akeley

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Bridge construction begins on Heartland State Trail in Akeley
(Released July 23, 2010)


The Akeley segment of the Heartland State Trail is closed temporarily while the old railroad trestle across the Crow Wing River is replaced with a new steel truss bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). There is no efficient alternate route around this construction area.

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Heartland Trail information

 
“The trail will essentially come to a dead end, for now, at Akeley,” said Dave Schotzko, area supervisor for the DNR’s Division of Parks and Trails.

“We apologize for the inconvenience to trail users. There is no short, safe, bike-friendly way around the project, so we were unable to designate a detour route. Fortunately, the Heartland State Trail extends for many miles on both sides of Akeley, so we encourage hikers, bikers, and inline skaters to explore those portions of the trail until the bridge construction is complete.”

Signs will indicate the trail closure on both sides of the bridge construction site. The DNR advises trail visitors not to use Highway 34 as a detour, due to the high traffic volumes and construction equipment in the area.

The rest of the 49-mile multiple-use trail, which goes north to Cass Lake and south to Park Rapids, will remain open.

Bridge construction should be complete by December. The new bridge will be 160 feet long and feature hand-railings and a concrete deck.