The Minnesota Legislature directed the Metropolitan Council to plan a continuous and dedicated bicycle and pedestrian trail that would extend the existing Midtown Greenway trail across the Mississippi River into Saint Paul, ending at Allianz Field.
The law specified that the planning study should include examination of a branch trail that would connect the planned Grand Round Missing Link Regional trail near the University of Minnesota main campus, illustrated on the map.
The two purposes of the study were to:
- Develop a conceptual implementation plan for extending the Midtown Greenway to provide a new and efficient transportation connection between Saint Paul and Minneapolis, while creating a premium recreational facility.
- Identify steps needed to advance concepts into project development.
During the 17-month planning study, we heard from a range of residents in the region about the importance of extending the trail, as well as thoughts and ideas about various design considerations. As identified in the final report, alignment suggestions are intended to be conceptual, in keeping with the expectation that further development and design will be necessary.
Corridor alternative alignments and design features may need to evolve based on continued coordination among local and state governments, guided by public engagement.