U.S. Rep. Angie Craig Secures $750,000 to Improve the Merriam Junction Regional Trail in Scott County

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Angie Craig has secured $750,000 to advance the construction of the Merriam Junction Regional Trail in Scott County. The funding will be used to help remediate segments of the existing Merriam Junction Regional Trail corridor along the banks of the Minnesota River.

The old trails that currently line the Minnesota River are so washed out and eroded that Scott County residents are unable to safely use them for outdoor recreational activities.

Rep. Craig pushed to secure these funds to provide the repairs and improvements needed to make the trails accessible for Minnesotans seeking to enjoy the state and federal public lands in the area.

“These federal funds will help Scott County make critical improvements to the Merriam Junction Regional Trail and ensure all Minnesotans are able to enjoy the natural beauty of the Minnesota River and its surrounding areas,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m proud to have secured this funding and look forward to seeing this project completed.”

“With this federal funding, Scott County will be able to build a new regional, multi-use trail to connect Scott and Carver Counties to ensure that all residents and visitors are able to enjoy the natural beauty of the Minnesota River and its surrounding areas, as well as stabilize the riverbanks. It was great working with Rep. Angie Craig to secure this funding – and I’m looking forward to finally seeing this trail become a reality,” said Scott County Board Commissioner Barb Weckman Brekke, who represents the district in which the Merriam Junction Trail will be located.

Once completed, the trail will run through the Minnesota Valley landscape, along the Minnesota River, and adjacent to both the Louisville Swamp Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Gifford Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley Recreation Area.

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