Renewal and Rehabilitation of State Trails and Bridges

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$3,403,420
2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,810,993
2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,417,166
2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$772,424
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$972,812
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,125,540
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,140,164
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,057,941
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,162,750
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,032,534
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,958,472
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$935,000
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,600,000
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,016,900
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,944,490
Fund Source
Parks & Trails Fund
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2009
Activity Type
Capital Development/Rehabilitation
Counties Affected
Statewide
Statewide
Project Overview

Renewal of existing State Trail surfaces, parking areas, and trail wayside areas, improving accessibility, enhancing user safety and implementing current best management practices. MNDNR Parks and Trails Division has a identified approximately 85 miles of existing state trail in need of rehabilitation and upgrading. This program also focuses on the rehabilitation or replacement of existing state trail bridges, including structural engineering inspections of all trail bridges . Of the more than 300 existing bridges on State Trails, the majority are wood or masonry former railroad structures of which more than 1/3 exceed 100 years old. Previous PAT Legacy reporting separated bridges from trails, which is no longer the division's reporting strategy as they are part of the same system of recreational use.

About the Issue

The Parks and Trails Division's State Trail renewal efforts are focused on the rehabilitation of existing state trails and state trail facilities, to enhance user safety, improve accessibility and repair or replace damaged or deteriorated existing infrastructure. The Parks and Trails Division's State Trail Bridge efforts are focused on the comprehensive inspection of existing state trail bridges and the rehabilitation or replacement of existing state bridges, to enhance user safety, improve accessibility and repair or replace damaged or deteriorated existing structures. Priorities are informed by the DNR Parks and Trails System Plan.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2023 Regular Session Ch. 40 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$28,572,000 the first year and $25,524,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to:
(1) connect people to the outdoors;
(2) acquire land and create opportunities;
(3) maintain existing holdings; and
(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$3,403,420
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2021 First Special Session Ch. 1 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)
Appropriation Language

$21712000 the first year and $22149000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:

(1) connect people to the outdoors;

(2) acquire land and create opportunities;

(3) maintain existing holdings; and

(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan

2023 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,810,993
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

FY23 Legacy funding will support the following trail and bridge renewal and rehabilitation:
• Minnesota Valley State Trail/Design only for Shakopee segment rehabilitation
• Minnesota Valley State Trail /Design only for Shakopee Slope Failure
• Blazing Star State Trail/0.25 mile rehabilitation
• Casey Jones State Trail/Woodstock Upgrading – Design Only
• Gateway State Trail/Westminster St Bridge Replacement

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2021 First Special Session Ch. 1 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)
Appropriation Language

$21712000 the first year and $22149000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to: (1) connect people to the outdoors; (2) acquire land and create opportunities; (3) maintain existing holdings; and (4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan

2022 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,417,166
Measurable Outcome(s)

FY22 Legacy funding supported the following trail and bridge renewal and rehabilitation:
• Alex LaVeau State Trail/Wrenshall Culvert Replacement
• Sakatah-Singing Hills State Trail/ADA Intersection Improvements – 9 miles
• Sakatah-Singing Hills State Trail/Lime Valley Slope Failure repair – 0.25 miles
• Blue Ox Trail/Turtle River Bridge rehabilitation
• CJ Ramstad-Northshore State Trail/Design Only for Big 39 Creek bridge replacement
• CJ Ramstad-Northshore State Trail/Design Only for Beaver River bridge replacement

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2019 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

(a) $19819000 the first year and $20777000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:

(1) connect people to the outdoors;

(2) acquire land and create opportunities;

(3) maintain existing holdings; and

(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan

2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$772,424
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

TRAILS: Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail requires improvements to provide ADA-compliant public road intersections between Waterville and Faribault final engineering in-progress with construction in anticipated in late FY21 or FY22., BRIDGES: Root River State trail has two historic bridges that require structural rehabilitation; an overhead steel truss bridge and a girder truss bridge. Project engineering and plans completed to replace bridge decks and railings. Funds being sought for construction.

Measurable Outcome(s)

,

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2019 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

(a) $19819000 the first year and $20777000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:

(1) connect people to the outdoors;

(2) acquire land and create opportunities;

(3) maintain existing holdings; and

(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan

2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$972,812
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors. Minnesota state trails meet current needs and provide high-quality recreation opportunities for a variety of visitors with different interests needs and abilities. Priorities are informed by the Parks and Trails System Plan.

Specifically in FY20 we plan to use Legacy funds (in whole or part) to:
• do engineering work on two to four bridges on one or more of the following: the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail the Taconite State Trail the NorthShore/CJ Ramstad State Trail and the Great River Ridge State Trail;
• replace two bridges on the Taconite and Northsore/CJ Ramtsad State Trails with culverts;
• rehabilitate the abutments on one bridge of the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail;
• complete the structural rehabilitation of two bridges on the Great River Ridge ST; • Complete the final engineering for the stabilization of a large slope failure along the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail;, To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors. Minnesota state trails meet current needs and provide high-quality recreation opportunities for a variety of visitors with different interests needs and abilities. Priorities are informed by the Parks and Trails System Plan.

In FY20 there is no funding allocated specifically for state trail rehabilitation or renewal.

Measurable Outcome(s)

BRIDGES: Completed rehabilitation/repair of existing trail bridge damaged by vandalism over Pine River and located on the Mathew Lourey State Trail. Completed preliminary engineering for the replacement of the Arrowhead State Trail bridge over Flint Creek that had to be closed pending replacement. Current bridge has insufficient load capacity for motorized use and to safely conduct routine maintenance. , TRAILS: In FY 21 completed river bank stabilization for a segment of Root River State Trail will complete engineering for culvert replacement on Brown’s Creek State Trail supplemental construction costs provided for the completed rehabilitation of 5.7 mile segment of Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail between Elysian and Waterville.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2017 Regular Session Ch. 91 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$16584000 the first year and $18891000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:

(1) connect people to the outdoors;
(2) acquire land and create opportunities;
(3) maintain existing holdings; and
(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,125,540
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2017 Regular Session Ch. 91 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$16584000 the first year and $18891000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:

(1) connect people to the outdoors;
(2) acquire land and create opportunities;
(3) maintain existing holdings; and
(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,140,164
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors. Minnesota state trails meet current needs and provide high-quality recreation opportunities for a variety of visitors with different interests needs and abilities. Priorities are informed by the Parks and Trails System Plan.

Specifically in FY18 we plan to repave about 2 miles of the Willard Munger State Trail from Beck's Rd to Mile marker 138 (Legacy with federal flood repair $).

Measurable Outcome(s)

FY18 accomplishments: Specifically in FY18 Legacy funds:
•repaved about two miles of the Willard Munger State Trail from Beck's Rd to Mile marker 138 (Legacy with federal flood repair $);
•repaired a quarter mile of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail in Temperance SP (ground water problems/ADA improvements).

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2015, First Special Session, Ch. 2, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$17,237,000 the first year and $18,067,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to: (1) connect people to the outdoors; (2) acquire land and create opportunities; (3) maintain existing holdings; and (4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,057,941
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe  unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors. In FY17 large culvert on the Paul Bunyan State Trail will be replaced., To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe  unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors. Minnesota state trails meet current needs and provide high-quality recreation opportunities for a variety of visitors with different interests  needs and abilities.Specifically  in FY17 we plan to repave about four miles of the Root River State Trail from Peterson to Rushford  and about six miles of the Glacial Lakes State Trail from Willmar to Spicer.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Repaving work: In FY 17 we repaved four (4) miles of the Root River State Trail from Peterson to Rushford (all Legacy) and about six (6) miles of the Glacial Lakes State Trail from Willmar to Spicer (80% Legacy leveraging 20% FRTP $); repaved about three (3) miles of the Willard Munger ST in Duluth between Grand Ave and Becks Rd (10% Legacy); repaved two (2) miles of the Douglas ST (100%) Legacy; repaved over six (6) miles of the Sakatah ST from Mankato to Madison Lake (100%) Legacy. Additionally about 1000 feet of the Gitchi Gami ST in Temperance River SP was rehabbed to meet ADA standards for grade. Bridge and culvert work: in FY17 we replaced four (4) culverts on the Willard Munger ST and one (1) culvert on the Paul Bunyan ST (Culvert inspection and inventory had been funded by Legacy in earlier years making this work possible). Additionally 14 bridges (one on the Root River and 13 on the Great River Ridge) were inspected and inventoried and four (4) bridges on the Root River ST were replaced with culverts greatly reducing future operations maintenance and rehab costs at those locations.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$17237000 the first year and $18067000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:
(1) connect people to the outdoors;
(2) acquire land and create opportunities;
(3) maintain existing holdings; and
(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,162,750
Direct expenses
$2,162,750
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors.

Measurable Outcome(s)

FY16 bridge and culvert work included completion of the Blue Ox Big Falls bridge rehab replacement of bridge #4 on the Root River Trail with a culvert erosion control on Root River bridge 47 and completion of assessment of culvert needs on the Willard Munger State Trail.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$16821000 the first year and $16953000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:

(1) connect people to the outdoors;

(2) acquire land and create opportunities;

(3) maintain existing holdings; and

(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,032,534
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Projects included repairs on the the Gitchi Gami Paul Bunyan Willard Munger and Taconite State Trails.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

$16821000 the first year and $16953000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:

(1) connect people to the outdoors;

(2) acquire land and create opportunities;

(3) maintain existing holdings; and

(4) improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan.

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,958,472
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY13 21.6 miles of state trail was repaved including segments along the Willard Munger and Sakatah-Singing Hills State Trails.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources
(a)$14262000 the first year and $14603000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:
(1)Connect people to the outdoors;
(2)Acquire land and create opportunities;
(3)Maintain existing holdings; and
(4)Improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$935,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Rehabilitation included repaving 3.6 miles of trail on the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011 First Special Session Ch. 6 Art. 3 Sec. 3(a)(3)
Appropriation Language

Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources
(a)$14262000 the first year and $14603000 the second year are for state parks recreation areas and trails to:
(1)Connect people to the outdoors;
(2)Acquire land and create opportunities;
(3)Maintain existing holdings; and
(4)Improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,600,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY11 the Parks and Trails Division rehabilitated 8.2 miles of state trail including segments along the Willard Munger and Paul Bunyan State Trails.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec. 2(3)
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$2,016,900
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To rehabilitate facilities to preserve our cultural resources and create safe unforgettable recreation experiences for visitors.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Through 1 October 2011 The Parks and Trails Division initiated the reconstruction of approximately 5 miles of trail on the Heartland ~5 miles on the Paul Bunyan and 1 mile on the Willard Munger State Trails.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 3 Sec. 2(3)
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,944,490
Project Manager
First Name
Kent
Last Name
Skaar
Organization Name
MNDNR Division of Parks and Trails
Street Address
500 Lafayette Rd
City
St Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55155
Phone
(651) 259-5636
Email
kent.skaar@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency