Pictured above, the paver is working under the shadow of the Blue Earth water tower, which is where the Unity Trail officially starts.

Many people have been anxiously waiting for the reopening of the Unity Trail which runs from the corner of County State Aid Highway 44 and CSAH 6 under the Blue Earth water tower out to the westbound rest stop on Interstate 90.

The length of the trail is approximately three miles long and was originally constructed in 2002.

“The paving was complete as of Aug. 18,” Public Works director Mark Daly said. “A one and a half inch bituminous overlay was placed on the trail.”

Although the paving is complete, the plan is for the trail to open again in early September.

“The trail will have low shoulders until the contractor is able to return and complete all of the work,” Daly commented. “We do not want someone injuring themselves because of the low shoulders. The contractor plans to complete the shoulder work the week of Sept. 6. When the shoulder work is finished, the trail will be reopened.”

Since the trail is not yet complete, the exact dollar amount of the project is not known, but the estimated cost of the project was $160,000.