More problems for Dug Road Trail

While much of the Trout Run Trail is gradually returning to normal, the situation involving the Dug Road portion of the trail seems to be worsening.

More cracks have shown up in the trail pavement and more of the trail has begun to collapse.

While contractors inspected the trail earlier this week to figure out what can be done to fix the problems, city officials have begun to face a problem with federal FEMA funding (if Northeast Iowa qualifies for such funding).  Under FEMA guidelines, the federal government will pay only to restore a structure like the Dug Road Trail to its previous condition--not to make changes that would improve it.

"This isn't easy," said Decorah City Administrator Chad Bird.  City Engineer Lindsay Erdman says the city might only have the option of restoring the trail to its previous condition anyway: "The tough part of Dug Road is the narrowness of what you have to work with."

More cracks have formed in the pavement