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Date: Wednesday, 15 February 2006

Title: Feds boost Minnesota Trails

Source: http://www.mnbiketrails.com

Remarks: By Dave Simpkins

President Bush’s signing of the largest public works bill in history is good news for Minnesota bicyclists and pedestrians. Out of the $286 billion Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) bill, Minnesota will receive $52 million for bicycle trails and alternative methods of travel. Oberstar was at the signing of the bill by the president in Aurora, Illinois. “Although the increased funding of SAFETEA-LU is not all that we should be doing, it is vastly better than where we were. If properly and promptly implemented, SAFETEA-LU will unlock congestion, make surface transportation safer, give people transportation choices, create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and further reduce the cost of logistics and keep America competitive in today's global economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration as we continue to build upon the legacy of ISTEA and keep America moving forward," said Oberstar. The biggest beneficiary of the federal funding will be Northeast Minnesota, which is represented by Rep. Jim Oberstar, the ranking Democrat on the House Transportation Committee and avid bicyclist. The Lake Wobegon Trail, Soo Line Trail, Minneapolis and St. Paul will also receive funding to extend trails, build trail centers and participate in a pilot program. “Congressman Oberstar believes deeply that trails are very beneficial to the quality of life and the economies of Minnesota communities and health of individuals,” said Dorian Grilley, executive director of Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota. The Mesabi Trail will get $2.7 million to complete 50 miles of the trail which when finished will extend from Grand Rapids to Ely. Another $1.3 million was allocated to build the Mesabi Station, a trailhead building in Virginia with lockers and changing areas, restrooms, vending conference rooms, an information center, retail space, bike and roller blade rental, campgrounds, a picnic area, and secure parking. The Paul Bunyan Trail will get $3 million to extend the trail 24 miles north from Walker to Bemidji and another $320,000 to move east toward the Cuyuna Lakes Trail which will extend from Brainerd to Aitkin. Another $1.2 million was made available to extend the trail from Riverton to Cuyuna. Eventually connecting with the Mesabi Trail in Grand Rapids. The City of Onamia will receive $878,080 to build a bridge for the Soo Line Trail over Hwy. 169 while Morrison County has been given another $396,000 to extend the Soo Line Trail from Bowlus to the Mississippi River. Bowlus is now connected to the Lake Wobegon Trail. Stearns County was also given $289,000 to fund the “Forgotten Four Miles” linking the trail with the Central Lakes Trail to complete the 100-mile corridor. Three segments of the Gitchi Gami Trail, the Lutsen Phase, the Cascade to Grand Marais and the Silver Bay to Tettegouche State Park phase received $2,900,000. The Willard Munger Trail will also be extended into the Lakewalk Trail in Duluth with a $2.5 million funding. “The Minnesota Legislature has already made commitments to these projects, but the federal funds will help do so much more, said Grilley. Trail users owe a great deal of thanks to Congressman Oberstar for helping to make this happen.” Minneapolis and St. Paul will receive over $4.5 million in trail funds plus Minnesota is one of four states included in a $25 million pilot program to promote nonmotorized means of transportation. Minnesota will get $6.25 million each of the next four years to build bike trails and pedestrian lanes that connect neighborhoods, schools and businesses in the Twin Cities and to do related signage, education programs and promotion. Other states included in the program are Missouri, Wisconsin and California. "The Twin Cities metro area is a great example of a trail network. There's already over 200 miles of major trails in the two cities," said Katie Magers. Magers is a spokeswoman for the Rails to Trails Conservancy, a national group that held its convention in Minneapolis in late July. "The program is basically to exhibit that walking and biking help to alleviate the transportation issues in cities," she said. In St. Paul the Bruce Vento Regional Trail and the Gateway State Trail will get access to the Sam Morgan Trail and associated Mississippi River regional trail corridor thanks to $1.5 million in federal funding. A key challenge will be getting users across Warner Road and the main line railroad tracks—in a safe, cost effective way that does not negatively impact the scenic and cultural resources of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area corridor, according to Jonathan Moore Legislative Assistant for Congresswoman Betty McCollum. The new construction will connect 134 miles of continuous trails in the east metro area. Oberstar said he believes America can do a better job of providing transportation alternatives. “Studies show, 40 percent of all the trips Americans take are within three miles and the vast majority of those trips are taken in an automobile,” said Oberstar.