The city is closing a small section of the Lower Cedar River Trail, beginning next week, to repair damage from a 2009 flood.

Approximately 400 feet of gabions along the stretch of the lower Cedar River Trail between Logan and Bronson Way were damaged by floating debris during the January 2009 flood. The trail along the river’s north edge will be closed from July 28 to mid-September 2014 to replace these damaged gabions.

Temporary repairs were performed in January 2009, but the 30 year old rock-filled wire baskets which aid in erosion control are nearing the end of their serviceable life and require replacement. The city received FEMA funding in 2012 to replace the gabions and has scheduled the project to be completed in July and August, when the water is low and salmon and other endangered fish are typically not present.

The contractor will use a portion of N. Riverside Drive between Wells Avenue North and Williams Avenue North for staging and storage, and will use the existing ramp at the intersection of Wells Avenue North and North Riverside Drive to access the trail.

A traffic control plan will create a single traffic lane along this block of North Riverside Drive, and pedestrians will be asked to cross the bridge to South Riverside Drive during construction.

Park patrons will still have access to North Riverside Drive, and the Cedar River Trail.