TheRailroadGivesDuluthitsLakewalk

ByKenBuehler

Even though theline wasnow owned by the St. Louis &LakeCounties Regional Rail Authority, train operations weredelayeduntil construction wasfinished on the extensionofI-35 through Duluth. The work disrupted the lineinseveral locations resulting in the first fivemiles being rebuiltbyMNDOT.Italso allowed something wonderful to happen.

Usingthe Railroad’s100-foot right-of-way alongthe shoreofLakeSuperior as acorridor, theCityofDuluthwas abletobuilda Lakewalk between the train tracks and the water’s edge. The7.25miles of pavedpathway stretches fromthe corner of LakeSuperior allthe way out to Brighton Beach. It would not have been possible hadthe railroad not been saved. Todaythe two popular attractions run side by side separatedbya safetyfence.

Duluth’sLakewalk andScenic Railroad corridor have been touted as one of the finest rail and trail initiatives in the nation. Onceyou ride the train or walk the walk, you’ll agree.

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Armstrong. He wasahardnosed attorney with little concernfor historic preservation, railroad museums, tourist trains or puppies. An impassesoon arose betweenthe two sides in the negotiations that seemed moreformidable than the Great Wall of China and awider chasm than the Grand Canyon. Enter the “negotiator,” St. Louis CountyCommissioner Jerry Janezich.

BesidesbeingontheCountyBoardJerrywasalso on theRail Authority and he knew people because he owned the most popular bar in Chisholm, Tom&Jerry’s.Janezichand Armstrong wereboth avid joggers and most of their discussionsweredonewhile running.A friendship developed andthe Art of the Deal wasstruck. The price issue wassettled.

Therewas one morehurdle and that was ahearing beforea keylegislativehouse committee. It wastoapprove the final fate of theLakefrontlineappropriation. Mr.Shankwent down to testifyand as usual didanexemplary job.Atone-pointRep.Wally SparbyofThief RiverFalls began adifficultlineofquestioning. Every time Rep. Sparby askedaquestion, Shank would properly and respectfully respond with “RepresentativeSparky,the answer to your question is……”

By the fourthorfifth “Sparky” response, the membersofthe committee wereall laughing so hard, Iknew we had their affirmativevote nailed. And we did. The lineyou’reriding on todaywas saved.