National Park Service announces Mile Creek bridge construction and road realignment
Mar 21, 2023 01:07PM ● By Editor
News Release Date: March 21, 2023
Contact: Heather Boyd, Superintendent, (218) 475-0123
Grand Portage, MN: Based on the analysis presented in the environmental assessment, public input, NPS internal deliberation and analysis, and consultation with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the NPS has selected Alternative B for implementation which will remove an existing blind curve, a portion of the original asphalt would be left in place as a walking path, and the road would be re-routed across a new bridge.
The selected alternative will realign a portion of Mile Creek Road and construct a new bridge over Grand Portage Creek to remove a hazardous 90-degree turn and improve pedestrian access and safety. The selected alternative will protect an existing historic bridge.
The Wetland Statement of Findings (WSOF) was approved and determined that no net loss of wetlands will occur. The WSOF ensures that mitigations and compliance with regulations and policies will be observed during and after the completion of construction activities and will prevent additional wetland and water quality impacts.
In February 2023, the NPS released the Environmental Assessment (EA) for public comment and shared two alternatives for consideration: Alternative A- No Action; and Alternative B – County Road 17 Re-Route (Preferred Alternative). Under Alternative A, the road would not be realigned. Under Alternative B, an existing blind curve would be removed, a portion of the original asphalt would be left in place as a walking path, and the road would be re-routed across a new bridge. The EA was open for public comment from February 2 to March 4, 2023. No public comments were received.
The NPS published a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on March 21, 2023 for the Mile Creek Road Realignment and Bridge Construction. The FONSI describes why the selected alternative would have no significant effects on the environment, provides the rationale for the decision and outlines conservation measures that will be taken to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the impacts. The FONSI and other planning documents are available at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/MileCreekRd
Grand Portage National Monument is co-managed with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and part of the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Visit our website for the link to the news release:
Anna Deschampe
Grand Portage National Monument
Division Manager: Interpretation, Education & Volunteers
Public Information Officer
P.O Box 426
Grand Portage, MN 55605
(218) 475-0123 ext 255
