DNR, cities and volunteers outline progress on Milltowns State Trail through Rice County

Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Rice County and partner cities updated the Rice County Board on progress toward the Milltowns State Trail, a planned roughly 85–90 mile corridor linking Mankato and Red Wing.

Meg Otten, chair of the Friends of the Milltowns Trail, described the citizen group’s long‑term effort to connect piecemeal segments since the 1990s and to raise funds for amenities such as benches and kiosks. Scott Haugen of the Minnesota DNR provided maps showing completed segments, recent acquisitions and large undefined corridor gaps where land acquisition and alignment remain unresolved.

Haugen and city engineers stressed that this corridor is not an abandoned railroad line that can be acquired in a single parcel; construction will proceed in segments as land and funding are secured. He highlighted one‑mile work recently completed in Dundas and said the DNR hopes to open a 6.1‑mile continuous segment through Northfield by the end of the year.

Dave Bennett, Northfield public works director, said the city and DNR received $8.2 million in state bonding for a Northfield segment and that the city contributed a roughly 30 percent local match for an $11.7 million total project. Bennett described recently completed underpasses, an underpass and roundabout project at Trunk Highway 246, public‑art murals in tunnels and planned wayfinding and kiosks to support tourism and local users.

Haugen also outlined restoration plans for the historic Waterford Bridge (built 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places). He said the restoration will likely be bid in June and construction could begin in 2026 and extend into 2027; state funding will cover most of the work, with limited local contribution.

Mark Deshane, city engineer for Faribault, and the city’s parks director described Faribault’s internal trail network expansions and recent underpass work that create a 10‑mile loop and connect to the White Sands Trailhead. County staff and commissioners discussed alignments along County Road 76 and other county projects (Armstrong Road, County Road 8) that can incorporate trail elements and close gaps.

Public comments from Catherine Powers and Janet Boucher emphasized safety for bicyclists on county roads without shoulders, potential tourism and senior usage increases if the corridor is complete, and strong local support for continuing the partnerships that deliver trail segments.

Commissioners asked staff to continue coordination with towns, townships and the DNR; no formal board action was taken at the work session.