Funding Source
(lottery proceeds)
Mesabi: trail extension
2018 Legislative Outcome
| Amount Requested | Amount Funded |
| $600,000 | $600,000 |
Final Bill » Law
Bonding Bill H.F.No. 4425
Session Law Chapter 214: Article 4: Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Appropriations, Subd. 9: Land Acquisition, Habitat, and Recreation
Final Language in Law
(b) Develop Mesabi Trail Segment From County Road 88 to Ely
$600,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority for environmental assessment, permitting, right-of-way easements or other acquisition as needed, engineering, and construction of an approximately three-mile-long bituminous surface section of the Mesabi Trail between Ely and the intersection of Highway 169 and County Road 88. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Prposed Project Overview
This project would develop a 3.5-mile segment of the Mesabi Trail from County Road 88 into Ely, Minn.
2018 Identified Need
$600,000
Project Impact
The Mesabi Trail is currently 118 miles long, and when complete will connect Grand Rapids to Ely. The trail is a popular destination for bicyclists and by connecting the trail into Ely it enhances the connections and promotes tourism within the region while connecting people with the scenic beauty of the area.
Project Support
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has recommended this project to be funded by the Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Bill Status: Passed & Signed
- Bonding Bill (HF 4425) introduced that includes an appropriation of $600,000 from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for an agreement with the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority for environmental assessment, permitting, right-of-way easements or other acquisition as needed, engineering, and construction of an approximately three-mile-long bituminous surface section of the Mesabi Trail between Ely and the intersection of Highway 169 and County Road 88. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
- Bill passed in Senate (vote: 113-17) and House (vote: 42-25)
- Signed by Gov. Dayton on May 30, 2018