Construction is beginning on a new riverfront trail segment connecting Ole Olson Park and the 26th Avenue North Overlook!
This project will create a new 1,000-foot trail connection to extend a popular riverfront regional trail past the end of West River Road and add new riverside experiences in North Minneapolis.
It will connect the 26th Avenue North Overlook, which opened in 2021, to the downtown riverfront and the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, the 51-mile continuous bike/walk trail that encircles most of Minneapolis. It will also connect to the off-street trail on 26th Avenue North, which travels across all of North Minneapolis between the Mississippi River and Theodore Wirth Regional Park.
Contractors were scheduled to begin work on July 8. The new trail will take people down the riverbank, under the BNSF railway bridge, and back up to street level on either side of the connection. This will require significant grading so that the trail has a safe incline and sightlines. Construction will begin with strategic tree clearing over portions of the site. Tree removal is unavoidable, however, efforts were made to keep as many trees in place as possible.
Work is scheduled to be complete by late fall 2024 or early 2025, though that may be impacted by wetter than usual weather. Stay clear of the work area. The Overlook and the trails along West River Road up to Ole Olson Park will remain open.