Repairs on Minnesota’s Flood-Damaged Willard Munger State Trail Could Begin Monday
Repairs are set to begin as soon as Monday, Sept. 24, on the Willard Munger State Trail, which was heavily damaged by flooding in June, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The first phase of construction will focus on stabilizing slopes and preventing further erosion. The trail remains closed for 14 miles between west Duluth and Highway 210 in the city of Thomson until further notice. Although the trail has been closed since June, staff have observed bikers and in-line skaters using the trail anyway, ignoring DNR signs and fencing.
“There is heightened concern for public safety as heavy equipment and vehicle traffic increase in the area over the next few months,” said Martin Torgerson, DNR area supervisor. “We thank trail users for their continued patience and urge them to obey the trail closure signs.”
For the bikers and in-line skaters seeking places to enjoy fall colors, more than 50 paved miles of the Willard Munger State Trail remain open from the city of Thomson south to Hinckley. The six-mile paved Alex Laveau Memorial State Trail, which branches off from the Hinckley-Duluth segment of the Willard Munger State Trail at Carlton, also remains open.
For updates on construction and the status of the trail, visit mndnr.gov, call the Moose Lake area office at 218-485-5410, or call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157, toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
