Multi-use trail connections to I-35W Bridge Crossing

The TRAIL IS NOW OPEN!35w Trail

North Trail

Summer 2023 Updates

  • The City awarded a contract to Ramsey Companies in the fall of 2022.  The contractor started last fall by placing surcharge material in the location of the new trail.  
  • Major construction activities began the week of June 5th. Access to the trail was closed on Tuesday, June 20th
  • The trail has reopened as of 12:00pm on Tuesday, July 18th.

Questions:

Please contact Burnsville Interim City Engineer, Logan Vlasaty if you have questions regarding the project.

Burnsville awarded federal grant to raise trail

In 2020, the City of Burnsville applied for a federal grant to raise a portion of the I-35W Frontage Trail to a minimum elevation of 702 feet. Looking at historic flooding data, we can estimate that by raising the trail to 702 feet, this section of trail will, on average, flood between three and six days each year.

Project Description:22-502 Project Area Map

The project will realign a segment of the I-35W Frontage Trail, which connects to the Minnesota River Greenway, adjacent to Black Dog Road. The improvements include raising the trail from the current elevation, which lowers the frequency and magnitude of trail closures due to flooding.

Alternatives for raising the trail were evaluated and documented in a Feasibility Study (March 2020). The City has determined the preferred alternative is to construct a conventional earth embankment with a trail width of 10 feet and 2 foot shoulders on either side. This alternative provides the City with the lowest cost/highest benefit solution when compared to other alternatives.



Project Benefits:

  • When MnDOT reconstructed the I-35W bridge over the Minnesota River, a new pedestrian/bicycle facility was included that links to reginal trails on both sides of the river. Prior to making this critical connection between Burnsville and22-502 Flooding event with bicycle Bloomington, a pedestrian and bicycle facility along I-35W never existed.
  • Flooding often occurs during the spring months (March - May) and can take several weeks to subside. During those times, this segment acts as a pedestrian and bicycle barrier rather than a regional amenity. Pedestrian and bicycle investments to the I-35W bridge may not be fully realized if the flooding issues are not addressed along this trail segment. This project will limit closure due to river flooding from many weeks down to 3 -6 days per year.
  • The I-35W Frontage Trail is heavily relied on by bicycle commuters and will become a more prominent commuting route between Burnsville and Bloomington now that the I-35W bridge is open.