Dakota County is preparing to launch a major improvement project along one of Hastings’ most heavily used recreational trails, with construction on the Hastings Bluff segment of the Mississippi River Greenway scheduled to begin June 29.
The project will focus on the trail section stretching from County Road 42 (Nininger Road) west to U.S. Lock and Dam No. 2, a scenic route overlooking the Mississippi River that is popular with cyclists, walkers, runners and other outdoor enthusiasts. County officials say the work is intended to improve safety, accessibility and long-term durability while bringing the trail up to modern county greenway standards.
Trail users can expect a temporary closure of the corridor once work begins. Dakota County plans to establish a detour route during construction, although officials have not yet announced how long the closure will remain in place.
The Hastings Bluff project will include several significant upgrades. Existing pavement will be resurfaced, portions of the trail will be regraded to lessen steep slopes, and the trail width will be expanded from eight feet to 10 feet. Curves along the route will also be widened to improve visibility and reduce conflicts between users traveling in opposite directions.
County planners say the improvements are designed to create a safer and more comfortable experience for all users of the trail system. The wider trail and gentler grades are expected to improve accessibility while accommodating increasing use of the greenway.
Some tree removal will be necessary to accommodate the revised trail alignment and construction work. County officials have indicated that vegetation management is needed to make room for the wider trail and improved sight lines.
The Hastings Bluff reconstruction is part of Dakota County’s broader effort to enhance the Mississippi River Greenway, a regional trail network that follows the Mississippi River through much of Dakota County. Public feedback gathered during planning efforts identified several concerns along the corridor, including deteriorating trail conditions, gaps in the trail system, difficult crossings and the need for better wayfinding. County officials have also emphasized the importance of improving safety and comfort for both bicyclists and pedestrians using the greenway.
The project is separate from Dakota County’s planned County Road 42 corridor improvements, which are expected to be constructed in 2027. Those future roadway improvements include a continuous multi-use trail along Nininger Road, enhanced pedestrian crossings, pavement rehabilitation and traffic-calming measures designed to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. County planning documents note that the Mississippi River Greenway trail improvements in Hastings would move forward on their own construction schedule during 2026.
For Hastings residents and visitors who regularly use the riverfront trail system, the upcoming closure may cause short-term inconvenience, but county officials say the result will be a safer and more accessible trail that better serves the community for years to come. Once completed, the reconstructed Hastings Bluff segment will provide a wider, smoother and more user-friendly connection along one of the most scenic portions of the Mississippi River Greenway.