Courtesy of the Lake Links Association.
The Lake Links Association is a nonprofit organization founded by residents of the communities surrounding White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Our mission is to promote safe routes for active mobility through the communities surrounding White Bear Lake and beyond.
-Washington County initiated a corridor study of Highway 96 late last year as part of its due diligence following the turn-back of the road from MnDOT to the county in 2023. Ramsey County has since bought into the study to include the segment of Highway 96 in its county from Highway 61 to Highway 244. The initial public open house event occurred in September at the Gasthaus. The second open house has been delayed, we are told, due to project complexities being worked through by the two counties and state agencies, most likely MnDOT. We will communicate the dates for the second open house when we are notified by Washington County.
-The 1.5 mile segment of Highway 244 through Dellwood is under serious consideration by the Dellwood Council and recently organized, resident-infused Trail Advisory Committee. The community current has received state grants in 2020 and 2023 totaling $4.6 million to plan and implement this segment. The community leadership has strongly expressed concern about not wanting to incur cost in the creation and maintenance of the trail segment. Working with State Representative Patti Anderson, legislative changes were sought by Dellwood. Those changes and time extensions to use the state grants were included in the 2025 bonding bill. I’ve attached a copy of the bill, which should open up to page 34 where the changes begin. If not, scroll down to that page to learn more about the status of the facility in Dellwood. Side note. Dellwood is actively working with MnDOT to negotiate a deal to assume responsibility for the section of Hwy 244 through their community. Like the turn-back on Hwy 96 from Mndot to Washington County, local ownership of the road will likely broaden options for alignment of the trail.
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