Cascade River bridge reopens on “The Grade” amid talks to transfer road to Cook County
The construction of the Cascade River bridge on Forest Road 170, also known as “The Grade,” is now complete.
On Oct. 24, U.S. Forest Supervisor Tom Hall announced that the bridge over the Cascade River is open to traffic. With the reopening of the bridge, Hall has terminated the temporary closure order “09-09-24-06.”
The construction project, which included replacing an old culvert and constructing a bridge, began in the summer of 2024. It was initially expected to be completed in October 2024, but it has experienced several delays throughout the process. The Forest Service has stated that the delays are, “Due to conditions found at the time of construction, additional design, resources, and time are needed to complete the project to ensure safety and environmental quality standards.”
In the Oct. 24 announcement, Gunflint District Ranger Kyle Stover said, “Thank you for everyone’s patience in this project with the associated delays and impacts it has had. We are looking forward to a quality structure that will benefit the water quality and user access for years to come.”
Stover said while the bridge is now open, the public may still see equipment and materials near the site and asks the public to “proceed carefully.”
The extended closure of “The Grade” for over a year has led Cook County officials to explore and discuss the potential designation of “The Grade” as a county road and the transfer of jurisdiction from the Forest Service.
The Forest Service has historically managed “The Grade” as part of the Superior National Forest. While the Forest Service manages the road, the county has been plowing “The Grade” for numerous winters.
Officials with the Cook County Highway Department and the Board of Commissioners have often referred to “The Grade” as the “county’s lifeline” if Highway 61 were closed for a weather event, major accident, or natural disaster. In March 2025, Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass proposed to the Board of Commissioners in a committee of the whole meeting to take over jurisdiction of a 23-mile stretch of “The Grade,” from Ball Club Road to the Sawbill Trail.
The commissioners agreed on the importance of the road and on moving forward with initial discussions with the Forest Service. In a September interview with WTIP, Hass provided an update on the conversations with the Forest Service.
“Things have been moving along, which has been wonderful,” Hass said.
The highway department is working with Forest Service officials to collect the necessary paperwork and hold meetings to ensure the proper steps are followed. Before the Forest Service can officially transfer the road, it will need to complete a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, collect necessary right-of-way information, and conduct a centerline survey.
Hass said the length of that process remains unknown at this time. “I don’t have a timeline yet on what that could look like.”
Kalli Hawkins October 25, 2025
