Carson Park Causeway to Get Upgrade in 2017

Tom Giffey |

AYRES ASSOCIATES
AYRES ASSOCIATES

“Causeway” is a pretty fancy word for the humble bridge that carries visitors in and out of Carson Park, but that’s the term city planners use for the structure, which was built in 1933. Currently, the narrow passageway that connects Lake Street to Carson Park over a skinny stretch of Half Moon Lake is shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and anglers who cast their lines into the water below. The word “causeway” might be more fitting after 2017 when the city plans to upgrade the structure to make it wider and roomier with space for vehicles, multiuse trails, as well as nooks for fishing, decorative lighting, and more. At a Nov. 23 open house the public got a peek at preliminary designs (shown above) created by Ayres Associates. The project, which would widen the bridge from about 36 feet to 77.5 feet, is expected to cost between $2 million and $2.5 million.

To learn more, visit www.ayresprojectinfo.com/ECGrandAve.