Gateway Trail Association Annual Meeting, April 22, 2010
The annual meeting of the Gateway Trail Association (GWTA) will be held on April 22, 2010 in the Grant City Town Hall. All who are interested in the trail are invited to attend. Members of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will attend and provide us an update on trail activities. Officers of the the GWTA will present reports on their special areas.
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010 Time: 7 PM Place: Grant City Hall 8380 Kimbro Ave North City of Grant 55082 Driving Directions from St.Paul 1. Take I-94 East to junction with I-694. 2. Take I-694 North to junction with Minnesota Highway 36 3. Take MN 36 East towards Stillwater. 4. As soon as you enter MN 36, move to the far left lane. 5. At Hilton Trail ( the first stop light after you arrive at MN 36) take a left on Hilton Trail (using turn on green arrow). 6. After approximately 2 miles, take a right turn at the first stop light onto 75st St North (also called County Road 12). 7. After approximately 2 miles, take a left turn onto Kimbro Ave North. 8 After approximately 1 mile, you will arrive at the Grant City Hall which will be on your left. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Construction Begins Early May on Bridge Over Century Ave Construction will begin in early May to erect a bridge over Century Avenue at Highway 36, one of the busiest crossing points on the Gateway Trail. The bridge is scheduled to be completed in late September, 2010. A bridge at this site separating auto traffic from the trail will be a very welcome sight to all trail users. Below is the detour that will be used during construction. (The Gateway Trail is shown in yellow running along side of Minnesota Highway 36.)
Travel Directions for the Century Avenue Detour, from the South.
1. At Henry Street, make a 90 degree turn to the south. 2. Travel south on Henry Street until you reach 7th Avenue. 3. At 7th Avenue, turn left and follow 7th Avenue until you reach Gershwin Avenue North. 4. At Gershwin Avenue North, turn left. Go north on Gershwin Avenue until you reach Georgia Blvd. 5. At Georgia Blvd, turn right and proceed in a north easterly manner until you reach 50th Street. 6. At 50th Street, turn right. At this point you will be back on the Gateway Trail.
The detour will have numerous signs to help you navigate around the construction site and return to the trail. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Special Use Permit Issued for May 8, 2010
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a Special Use Permit to the Multiple Sclerosis Society for use of the Gateway Trail from Aldrich Arena ( from the point where the Trail crosses over White Bear Avenue ) to the end of the Trail at Pine Point Park on Saturday, May 8, 2010. Trail users should be aware that a large number of bicyclists will be using the northerly portion of the trail on that day and that the trail will likely become congested. The trail is not closed however and may be used by others.
DNR rules require a Special Use Permit for significantly large group activities (for example, walkers or bikers). Permits may be obtained by contacting the DNR at (651) 259-7176.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Vandalism at Highway 96 Overpass
Vandalism at the Hwy 96 wayside prompts the Gateway Trail Association to offer a reward. For anyone having information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the vandals, a $250 reward is offered. Those who have information have been asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff at 651-439-9381. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7th Annual Twin Cities Bike Club Swap Time: Noon to 3:00 PM on Saturday Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010 Place: Hopkins VFW Post 425, 100 Shady Oak Road, Hopkins, MN 55343
* Buy, sell, or donate new or used bicycling gear * Find out more at: http://www.BikeTCBC.org/swapmeet * Contact: Valerie at SwapMeet@biketcbc.org or 763-559-0314
Get ready to ride! Here's your chance to pick up some great new and gently used bikes, parts, clothing, and accessories from TCBC members with more cycling stuff than we need. Our obsession is your good fortune, come get the bargains!
This event is open to anyone with an interest in cycling. No admission, fees, or commissions are required. Buyers do not need to be TCBC members. However, all sellers must be current TCBC members or sponsors; you may purchase a membership ($25) at the door. Bicycling related non-profit organizations may request free display space by contacting us in advance. Some non-profits will be accepting donations of bicycles, parts, or equipment.
Please forward this email to all of your bicycling email lists, club members, and cycling friends. We look forward to seeing you there!
Valerie Olson Swap Meet Coordinator Twin Cities Bicycling Club (TCBC) www.BikeTCBC.org/swapmeet. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Two Year Manning Ave Bridge Construction Begins Progress at the Gateway Trail At Manning Avenue on November 20, 2009 _________________________________________________________________________ Update
A
workable detour is in place (see above) but is rough and may require bikers and roller bladers to
walk. We will periodically post pictures showing progress . ____________________________________________________________________
Construction will begin August 31, 2009 to install historic bridge number 5721 on the Gateway Trail as it passes over Manning Avenue, County Road 15 (CR 15). The project will proceed in two phases. First, in 2009, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will construct two earthen ramps on either side of the intersection. In the second phase of construction taking place in 2010, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) will assemble the historic bridge.
Upon completion, the bridge will route the Gateway Trail over the high volume and high-speed traffic on Manning Avenue and should be a great safety improvement. In addition, the new bridge deck will be 18 feet wide, which will more easily accommodate horse riders and bikers at the same time. Upon completion, historic markers will be installed which will describe the unique character of this old bridge.
During the two-year construction period, a detour around the work site will be implemented as shown in the map below. The detour surface will not be paved.
Manning Avenue Detour Map.
Deck view of new Manning Ave bridge.
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