The Flyway Trail is a community-driven world-class trail that is increasing community connectivity, economic development and recreational tourism in Buffalo County. Phase I of the multimodal Flyway Trail is 3 miles long and connects Winona, MN to the Town of Buffalo Park in Buffalo County Wisconsin.
A 1.26 mile section of the existing trail is unpaved and has been prone to washouts along its length during significant rain events in the four summer seasons that it has been open. The Flyway Trail board has applied for TAP funds to pave this section to improve safety and the user experience. The trail has been maintained by the Buffalo County Highway Department, and any washouts that occur are quickly repaired. The Flyway Trail and Buffalo County are working with engineering firms to correct some problematic drainage features.
Phase II of the Flyway Trail, a 2.4 mile section that will connect the town of Buffalo Park to the terminus of the Great River Road State Trail at Marshland, WI will begin construction in April of 2025. Trail advocates are seeking additional funding to pave this section of the trail. Key learnings from the washouts experienced in Phase I will be incorporated in the construction of Phase II.
When completed, Phase II will run from the terminus of the Great River Road State Trail at Marshland, WI to the terminus of Phase I of the Flyway Trail at the Town of Buffalo Park. Phase I of the Flyway Trail was completed in 2020 and runs from the Town of Buffalo Park to Latsch Island via a bridge of the BNSF railway and then on to Winona, Minnesota via a new separated bike/pedestrian lane on the Highway 43/54 bridge.
The Flyway Trail provides a vital link between Wisconsin and Minnesota and, when Phase II is completed, will provide a continuous route for cyclists and hikers between Winona and Reedsburg, WI via the Flyway, Great River Road, La Crosse River, Elroy Sparta and 400 Trail system, a distance of 108 miles.
____________________
Learn about other 2024 priority projects