Reconstruction of bike paths around Brownie Lake and on the west side of Cedar Lake on the western side of Minneapolis got underway this week. Paths will be closed through October from the I-394 bridge south to the Cedar Lake Pkwy. bridge.
The $367,000 renovation includes much-needed improvements to trail alignment, surfacing and width, lighting, and signs, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board officials said.
In addition, the Minneapolis Public Works department is installing a sanitary sewer lift station on Lakeview Avenue, which will result in periodic lane closures for motorists using the parkway. One lane should remain open at all times, officials said.
The trails along Brownie Lake are a critical segment of the Grand Rounds, linking Theodore Wirth Park to the Chain of Lakes. I-394 is a major barrier for trail users and there are no other regional trails crossing it on the west side of Minneapolis.
During the closure, bicycle traffic will be detoured to the pedestrians-only sidewalk on the east side of the parkway, which is narrow and in poor condition. Bicycles are being told to yield to pedestrians at all times.
