COnstruction Updates 3/26/26
Construction Updates for 2026
Aurora to Hoyt Lakes – this project is still in engineering. Tree clearing is currently in progress. When we get State Aid approval, we will advertise for construction to start this year. The plan is to finish this trail segment still this fall, but it may end up pushing into 2027.
The Industrial Park section in Aurora should be finished this spring.
Wahlsten to West Two River – 4.5 miles was paved last fall and is rideable. Remaining work includes tying driveways into the paved trail, shouldering, vegetation, signing, and punch list items to be done when the construction season begins.
West Two River to Tower – This project is the big push this year. Tree clearing will begin this week and construction will begin as the season opens. The goal is to have it completed by the end of August so that we can have a few good fall months to kick off the 30-year anniversary, along with the grand opening of the trail.
Buhl to Kinney – We are pushing forward to reconstruct this section of trail this year. The project is just waiting on environmental sign-off. Tree clearing will begin within the next week or so as there is not much clearing work to do. The trail will be moved off Whiteside Road with this project. This job will be bid for construction later in the spring and reconstruction is anticipated to occur this year.
McKinley to Biwabik – This long-awaited section was finished and opened last year.
Giants Ridge – the site behind the Quarry golf course has finally been stabilized. This spring will commence the work to rebuild the trail through that corridor. Ideally, this section will be reopened prior to the main biking season kicking off.
Storm damage repairs – We did get the storm damage repairs done this past October, so the sections at Sparta and Voyageurs Retreat are in good shape once again. There will be some minor work done in Tower where the East Two River crosses the trail at the culverts, and some additional work done at the Bear Center.
Bridge repairs – Chisholm and Aurora bridges have been repaired and are in good condition to start the biking season.
Mesabi Metallics – a section of trail near Nashwauk has been closed since the end of the biking season last year due to some pipe work being done for Mesabi Metallics mining. The project hit a few snags running the lines under Hwy 169, and didn’t get finished last year as expected. It will continue in the spring this year and hopefully will only impact trail usage for a week or two. Currently, the trail has been backfilled and is passable as a gravel surface.
Canisteo Pit Drainage project – This project will close down the trail and CR 61 in Coleraine for a week or two coming up at the beginning of April. This is a temporary closure, and the trail should be ready to ride by mid-month.
Kiosk mapping will commence this year. The new maps for each kiosk are in the design phase now and will be installed at each kiosk as they are completed. The maps will highlight the community where the kiosk is located, as well as still show the full trail. Point of interest signs are included in this project. A new design is being created, and new signs will be printed.
Potential upcoming projects –
Reconstructions Needed:
Bovey to Taconite – 3.5 miles – grants are applied for
Eveleth to Gilbert –3.68 miles – grants are applied for
Ely trailhead to kiosk – 0.5 miles – future need
Keewatin to Kelly Lake – 3.03 miles – future need
Relocation projects:
CSAH 102 in Mountain Iron is closing in 2027, and the trail is being rerouted to Hwy 169. Need a pedestrian bridge to cross CN tracks and US 53 into Virginia. Funding has been applied for on this project.
Mile Markers:
Mile markers are still a known need. The project still hasn’t fully come together, but it is under consideration
Road Markings:
Stencils of the MT logo are in the works to repaint the markings on pavement through towns to clarify the bike route.
