Agenda - Council Work Session - 08/24/2010

Home

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Mississippi River Trail -Status of MnDOT Planning Background: 0.~°~ .~ ~ r ~ -° ~ ~ i F The last few years in particular, the Cities of Anoka and Ramsey have been discussing the Mississippi River Trail (MRT), and its potential value to our communities. The MRT is described as: "a world-class bicycling route that travels from the headwaters at Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Delta at the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. It is a 3,000-mile system of bicycle- friendly roads and multi-use pathways." The following is also identified in MnDot's 2004 MRT Feasibility Report http://www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/pdfs/MRT/MRT MN Feasibility Reportpd£ «'hat is the 1lississippi River Trail;' It is ~ bike route, largelyr on the shoulder of reads., follo~viua the IGlississippi River from the heaclw,aters to the Gtdf of Mexico tlu•ou21r ten states. It is designed primarily for rourin~ and weekend bicyclists, yet there are n2~any se~ruents apprcpr7ate for fa~~ilies tivith children, most on urban riverside trails. It is a uiaste~~~iece in the making, taking time to establish, destined to be continuously refined. It is a modal option to leave the car behind and bicycle aloud the Mississippi withi2i totv~ls and 1}etEVe~11 tOwlls. It is au a~nenit<F for cauunui~ities, the state, and the nation. providing a healthfi~l aid historic coimection to the Y•iver. It is a National Ii~Iillenuium Traih one of onI ~ 16 nationwide. '~~` Ale~cc[ riuit R;tIF Tt is a t~ua~t~t attractie~r7 that can foster s~istainahle econr~n~ic development. The I~Tississipl~i River ranks as the third most desired L7.S. destination for irttei7iational tourists. Most recently MnDot is convening a series of meetings throughout the state to identify a specific routing of the trail. Within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, it has always been understood that this trail would be on both sides of the river with the 72-mile Nat'l Park Service Unit. Through participating in these community meetings, staff has learned that MnDot is only intending on identifying a trail route on the south side of the river west of the Champlain Bridge at Anoka. Staff feels this is unacceptable, and is entirely inconsistent with planning, support for the MRT and on-the ground investments made by Ramsey and Anoka heretofore.