Local drivers and park-goers should prepare for some rerouting as the Rush Creek Regional Trail underpass project kicks off near Mississippi Gateway Regional Park. Starting around September 16th, West River Road will be temporarily closed until most of November, as reported by a recent bulletin from the City of Brooklyn Park.
The closure, which extends just north of the park entrance, means that the usual route to the park from the north will be blocked. However, the park will stay open with accessible entry from the south. In coordination with the construction, the West Mississippi River and Rush Creek regional trails will experience detours, a necessary trade-off to enable the construction of a safe pathway for these trails beneath West River Road.
The main goal is to connect the East and West Units of the park with a safe crossing for trail users, cutting out the risk of traffic encounters. Details about detour routes and additional project information have been provided by the city and can be found on their website.
The reaction to the inconvenience seems to be one of cautious acceptance. Safe passages for pedestrians and cyclists are a long-term benefit that, many agree, outweighs short-term traffic hassles. Still, locals are advised to check out the detour maps beforehand to avoid confusion or delayed commutes. The anticipation is, that once the underpass is complete, it will foster a safer and more interconnected park experience for all.
