B-35 on Clear Lake’s south shore close to being open, but remains closed for final steps of the multi-use trail project

CLEAR LAKE — Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it’s possible the opening of County Road B-35 on the south side of Clear Lake between Balsam and Dogwood Avenues could happen before the 4th of July.

The road has been closed since May due to the construction of a multi-use trail that adjoins the north edge of the road. The trail connects with the Sisters Prairie Trail just west of Cardinal Avenue and ending at Dogwood Avenue.

Cerro Gordo County Engineer Brandon Billings says the rumble strips have been installed between the road and the trail, but painting new lines distinguishing between the road and the trail still needs to take place.  “It’s really confusing looking out there right now because you can kind of see a remnant of the old paint out there and you can see the rumble strips. Heartland is supposed to come in and fog seal early this week and then we should be able to paint immediately afterwards, so then it will make a lot more sense, and I think that path will be getting pretty close to opened in the very near future.”

Billings at this time will not give a date the road will open until he’s had further discussions with Heartland Asphalt, the contractor on the project.  “I don’t want to say any specific dates until Heartland is there to let me know a specific date. It’s moving towards completion and it looks pretty good.”

Billings says the road remains closed to all vehicle and bike traffic for the time being.

He made his comments to the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors at their meeting earlier today.