Officials from far and near gathered on Nov. 14 to celebrate the opening of the first segment for the Highway 13 “Gateway Trail” project.

Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs served as emcee of the event held near the intersection of County Road 42 and Highway 13. Invited guests included Rep. Angie Craig; Jack Smyth, representing Sen. Tina Smith; and Josh Ortiz, from Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office. Several county commissioners, local school officials, city council members and department heads attended, as did Savage Mayor Christine Kelly.

“This trail amenity is evolving as a collaborative effort to create a connection, and thus a community, across isolated neighborhoods needing cars to meet their daily needs. Now, joggers, walkers, bikers and strollers can go to the grocery and restaurants safely,” Briggs said, adding that Craig was instrumental in moving funding for the project forward over the past few years.

Segment 1 of the trail project runs from County Road 42 to Oakland Beach Avenue. The paved path runs on the west side of Highway 13, which is considered amongst the busiest stretches of roadway in the city. The trail will eventually be extended to the downtown Prior Lake area.