Archeological survey in process on proposed Freeport trail

An archeological survey has begun of the proposed route of the Trout Run Trail extension to Freeport.
 
Bear Creek Archeology is conducting the survey, which is paying close attention to the property in back of the Decorah Wal-Mart, where there might be artifacts.  There are also possible burial sites near Freeport, but county officials are relatively confident those are not close to the bike route trail.
 
"The process is going rather slowly, but it's still moving," says County Engineer Lee Bjerke of the project, which is being funded by a $1.6 million State of Iowa TIGR grant.  Bjerke says a contract for the bike trail and River Road improvement must be signed by next September, but he's hoping the contract will be ready for bidding next June.