Tree clearing for local section of Gitchi Gami State Trail begins this week

Rhonda Silence | March 17, 2020

In the past, WTIP has reported on the work toward completion of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, which will eventually be an 89-mile non-motorized, paved recreational trail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, Minnesota, along Lake Superior’s beautiful and historic North Shore.

In 2020, another 3.4-mile section of trail will be completed, from Cutface Wayside Rest to the current section of the Gitchi Gami Trail heading west from Grand Marais.

This section includes the Fall River, the site of some controversy, as there are some who do not want the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to construct a bridge at the DNR’s preferred site. In October 2018, the DNR announced it would proceed with the bridge as proposed. More information on that decision is available in this WTIP story.

Tree clearing for this new section of the Gitchi Gami Trail has begun. According to DNR Parks and Trails Northeast Regional Manager Scott Kelling the work must be done before May 1 to prevent the long-eared bat from nesting in the trees to be removed.

The trail work is being completed by KGM Contractors of Angora, Minnesota. They will be completing some grading work that leads to the bridge over the Fall River. The bridge itself will be built by Red Stone Construction of Mora, Minnesota. Kelling said the intent is to have the trail section ready for riding in fall 2020.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence talks to DNR Parks and Trails Northeast Regional Manager Scott Kelling to learn more. Anyone with questions about the project may call Kelling at 218-328-8986.

See related stories here:

EDA votes to support DNR plans for Fall River bike trail bridge – September 19, 2018

DNR hears concern about Gitchi Gami bridge proposal – July 16, 2018