Bruce Vento Trail to White Bear Lake - Don’t Bypass the Business District
22 Comments
M
Moria Gallagher
5 years ago
This will be well utilized and enjoyed by many in this area and local businesses will benefit from those visiting due to the trail.
M
Mark Bonitz
5 years ago
Common sense says, don't bypass the WBL business district.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Bypassing downtown White Bear would be silly. People love the downtown WBL area and it is a popular destination for cyclists in the summer. Why skip it?
M
Michael McGuinness
5 years ago
Please follow the existing rail line.
B
Brandon Schiwal
5 years ago
The trail needs to be able to bring people safely to downtown White Bear Lake and connect to the trails there if possible!
B
Brett Chessnoe
5 years ago
Bruce Vento, dont bypass the business district.
B
Betty David
5 years ago
Reducing interaction between automobiles & bicycles is something I look for in the trails I ride.
M
Mike Brooks
5 years ago
Since the 1970's Highway 61 has systematically been re-designed to favor motorized traffic. The inclusion of Rushline will be the final stake as shoulders will be converted to dedicated lanes. When the Highway through White Bear Lake was re-constructed and an elaborate median installed in 2013-2014, MnDOT and the City were quoted saying bicycle and pedestrian facilities were not included in the road design because the Bruce Vento Trail would be the solution for non-motorized users in the #61 corridor. This statement was made with the tracks being active and no visible deal in place with the railroad. In 2017 the Legislature extended millions to Minnesota Commercial to fix the tracks from the M&D junction to where the tracks end in Hugo. This was an opportune time for local and county officials to insist on language in that bill to provide for an easement. This alignment can still happen, but there must be a collective plan and push from legislative leaders working with local, county and state agencies to negotiate a solution with the tracks owners, Burlington Northern. These tracks add no value for the City of White Bear Lake, only cost. There is a strong argument that as a recipient of public aid a deal be reached allowing the City to advance safety parallel to its economic development and ensure the best use of this linear space to accommodate all transportation options, not just rail.
L
Linda Hawkinson
5 years ago
WBL has a wonderful downtown area! Very vibrant. Lets keep it that way!! Dont need any changes
N
Nikki Chessnoe
5 years ago
Bruce Vento Trail. Dont bypass White Bear Lake businesses.
P
Peter Grasse
5 years ago
Featured
Business owners will benefit from increased traffic at their businesses. If people can safely get there by bike, they will stop by, and buy! Provide good bike parking too.
S
Sheryl Bolstad
5 years ago
We live in downtown WBL and use the Bruce Vento Trail and agree that the bikers and townspeople would both benefit by sticking with the original plan to follow the railroad tracks.
I
Ian Harding
5 years ago
Featured
The completion of the Bruce Vento trail ( and associated safe crossings of hwy 61) along a direct route to downtown WBLake is an important part of making a vibrant , successful and sustainable downtown White Bear Lake which can be reached by all ( by vehicle, on foot, by bike , by wheelchair and other active transportation modes by all citizens )
J
Jeff Ledermann
5 years ago
Featured
Trails are great for recreation, but they also should connect people to commerce, schools, housing and community resources. Please make sure users of the Vento Trail can directly access downtown White Bear Lake businesses.
P
Paul Bolstad
5 years ago
A direct route would be much more useful, and used
M
Mike Gallagher
5 years ago
Love this!
F
Fred LaPlant
5 years ago
It would be crazy to bypass the business district. Cyclists are consumers too, and this is a win for both the cycling community and the local business owners.
D
Dan Marshall
5 years ago
I would love to bike from St Paul to WBL to shop & dine. Please make this connection possible!
K
Kristen Eklund
5 years ago
We badly need a safe bike trail around this part of the lake
R
Robert Brandt
5 years ago
Featured
Please have the trail parallel and go into downtown White Bear Lake. Also, improve safety and property values by building a walking/biking bridge over highway 61, somewhere near 4th street. It is very dangerous to cross highway 61 when though a pedestrian/biking bridge.
This will be well utilized and enjoyed by many in this area and local businesses will benefit from those visiting due to the trail.
Common sense says, don't bypass the WBL business district.
Bypassing downtown White Bear would be silly. People love the downtown WBL area and it is a popular destination for cyclists in the summer. Why skip it?
Please follow the existing rail line.
The trail needs to be able to bring people safely to downtown White Bear Lake and connect to the trails there if possible!
Bruce Vento, dont bypass the business district.
Reducing interaction between automobiles & bicycles is something I look for in the trails I ride.
Since the 1970's Highway 61 has systematically been re-designed to favor motorized traffic. The inclusion of Rushline will be the final stake as shoulders will be converted to dedicated lanes. When the Highway through White Bear Lake was re-constructed and an elaborate median installed in 2013-2014, MnDOT and the City were quoted saying bicycle and pedestrian facilities were not included in the road design because the Bruce Vento Trail would be the solution for non-motorized users in the #61 corridor. This statement was made with the tracks being active and no visible deal in place with the railroad. In 2017 the Legislature extended millions to Minnesota Commercial to fix the tracks from the M&D junction to where the tracks end in Hugo. This was an opportune time for local and county officials to insist on language in that bill to provide for an easement. This alignment can still happen, but there must be a collective plan and push from legislative leaders working with local, county and state agencies to negotiate a solution with the tracks owners, Burlington Northern. These tracks add no value for the City of White Bear Lake, only cost. There is a strong argument that as a recipient of public aid a deal be reached allowing the City to advance safety parallel to its economic development and ensure the best use of this linear space to accommodate all transportation options, not just rail.
WBL has a wonderful downtown area! Very vibrant. Lets keep it that way!! Dont need any changes
Bruce Vento Trail. Dont bypass White Bear Lake businesses.
Business owners will benefit from increased traffic at their businesses. If people can safely get there by bike, they will stop by, and buy! Provide good bike parking too.
We live in downtown WBL and use the Bruce Vento Trail and agree that the bikers and townspeople would both benefit by sticking with the original plan to follow the railroad tracks.
The completion of the Bruce Vento trail ( and associated safe crossings of hwy 61) along a direct route to downtown WBLake is an important part of making a vibrant , successful and sustainable downtown White Bear Lake which can be reached by all ( by vehicle, on foot, by bike , by wheelchair and other active transportation modes by all citizens )
Trails are great for recreation, but they also should connect people to commerce, schools, housing and community resources. Please make sure users of the Vento Trail can directly access downtown White Bear Lake businesses.
A direct route would be much more useful, and used
Love this!
It would be crazy to bypass the business district. Cyclists are consumers too, and this is a win for both the cycling community and the local business owners.
I would love to bike from St Paul to WBL to shop & dine. Please make this connection possible!
We badly need a safe bike trail around this part of the lake
Please have the trail parallel and go into downtown White Bear Lake. Also, improve safety and property values by building a walking/biking bridge over highway 61, somewhere near 4th street. It is very dangerous to cross highway 61 when though a pedestrian/biking bridge.