Construction on Freeport Trail extension MIGHT begin yet this fall

Will the weather in Decorah remain nice for a few more weeks?  That question will have a bearing on when construction can begin on the Freeport Trail extension.

Bids on the project were opened Tuesday in Ames.  Winneshiek County Engineer Lee Bjerke says the apparent low bid by Skyline Construction must be approved by both the Winneshiek County Board and by federal officials because of a $1.6 million federal TIGR grant for the project.

It's possible the county board could vote on accepting the bid next Monday, but far more likely the vote would be taken November 3rd.  Bjerke says he's hoping Skyline crews could do some of the work yet this fall--especially earth moving that will be necessary to create a base for the bike trail.  That, of course, will be dependent upon November's weather, which is why Bjerke and many others are hoping Decorah's current pleasant fall weather continues.