Itasca County moves ahead on US Highway 2 trail integration with MnDOT; authorizes $12,500 TED request

Itasca County on March 3 adopted Resolution 2026-17 to pursue an IRRR Development Partnership grant and approved a TED account request (amended) including $12,500 to begin planning and engineering for a 10‑foot recreational trail corridor to be integrated into MnDOT’s planned 2027 reconstruction of U.S. Highway 2 in Warba. The board approved both measures unanimously (5–0).

The project scope in county materials describes a permanent 10‑foot trail extending from 1st Avenue North across the Swan River Bridge to County Road 426, intended to provide a separated alignment for motorized and non‑motorized users and reduce user interaction with highway traffic. Project documents list a $5.1 million MnDOT highway reconstruction cost and a $575,000 trail integration cost. The packet identifies potential funding sources and a timeline that includes a $200,000 Federal Recreational Trails Program request, $225,000 from a Local Trails Connection program and other smaller contributions. Project partners named in presentation materials include MnDOT, Itasca County, Greenway Snowmobile Club and the City of Warba.

Sara Thompson (Land Department) was listed as the presenter in the meeting packet; the board’s TED funding approval was described in the agenda item as necessary to secure matching funds and align trail engineering with MnDOT's schedule. County materials state: “This project represents a strategic, cost-effective opportunity to integrate long-term recreational infrastructure during a scheduled highway reconstruction,” language that was included in the project overview provided to the board.