Construction/Wayfinding and update Mesabi Trail

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE DMWMA

The Darwin Meyers Wildlife Management Area construction work by the DNR has been completed. There are some minor items to be finished, but the large equipment is out of the area.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Wahlsten Road

The construction of the newest trail section from Benson Road to the West Two River is progressing. The goal is still to have this 4.5 mile section paved this fall.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Storm Damage

The storm damage that occurred in June 2024 will be repaired this fall. Sections of the trail will be closed for the work to be done and notifications will be posted on the website and Facebook pages as soon as we have the schedule. These areas include:

1. Two culvert locations between Eveleth and Gilbert, specifically near Sparta where the trail crosses Hwy 97
2. sinkholes and trail collapse in the Voyageurs Retreat area of Giants Ridge
3. Sinkholes and edge damage in Embarrass Township east of the trail crossing at Hwy 135.

The section of trail washed out near the Quarry Golf Course in Giants Ridge is still being stabilized. That work is taking place this fall, and as soon as paving can start next spring, the trail will be paved.

CONSTRUCTON UPDATE Aurora

The section of trail in the new Aurora Industrial Park area will be paved and open for use when the construction season begins next spring.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Aurora and Chisholm Bridges

Northland Constructors will be repairing damage to two bridges on the trail this fall. First, the bridge over the Embarrass River Diversion Channel in Giants Ridge will have structural repairs and new decking completed. Second, an old concrete bridge near the water treatment facility in Chisholm will have the abutments and concrete repaired. Please watch for notifications on scheduling for this work.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

1. Buhl to Kinney Reconstruction is in the engineering and design stage. 2.5 miles of trail will be reconstructed in 2026 from the Buhl kiosk to the parking area on Hwy 25 near Kinney.
2. West Two River into Tower is in the engineering and design stage. 2.5 miles of trail will be constructed in 2026, marking the final segment of new construction for the full connection of the Mesabi Trail between Grand Rapids and Ely. Be ready for a year of celebration once that trail segment is complete!
3. Aurora to Hoyt Lakes is in the engineering and design stage. This 5 mile section of trail will be constructed in 2026 as well beginning at Forestry Road in Aurora and ending at the community center in Hoyt Lakes.
4. Reroute between Mountain Iron and Virginia starting in 2026 due to the pending closure of CSAH 102.
5. 2 small sections of trail near the Bovey ball fields will be spot repaired either this fall or next spring.
6. On the list for reconstruction as we can obtain funding:
   1. 0.5 miles in Ely from the crossing at Hwy 169 to the Mesabi Trail kiosk
   2. 3.3 miles from Kelly Lake to Keewatin
   3. 3.2 miles from Eveleth to Gilbert
   4. 3.8 miles from Bovey to Taconite
   5. 1.3 miles from Chisholm to Buhl

WAYFINDING UPDATES

New Mesabi Trail signs have been showing up on the trail showcasing the new logo. This is an on-going effort to refresh the trail signage. The kiosks have been receiving some much needed TLC as well and new signage will be showing up on the freshly repainted arches. We recognize the difficulty of following the trail through towns and we are working on a plan to improve this, starting with adding logo stickers to the bike route signs and creating new stencils to clearly mark roadways. Again, this is an ongoing process.