Corps announces re-opening of trail section, continues work in other locations

Corps announces re-opening of trail section, continues work in other locations

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that a section of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail from Moore Haven Lock north to Lakeport was recently re-opened after being closed temporarily during construction. Hikers, bicyclists and other recreationalists can enjoy more than ten miles of newly paved trail on the west side of Lake Okeechobee. The 110-mile trail encircles Lake Okeechobee atop the 35-foot high Herbert Hoover Dike and provides excellent views of the lake as well as opportunities for fishing, bird watching and photography. Maintenance and rehabilitation work continues on other areas of the Herbert Hoover Dike.

The section of the trail between Clewiston and South Bay remains closed to facilitate delivery of stone used for shoring up the dike in emergency situations. This closure will only be in effect during the work week (Mon.-Fri); the trail will be open on weekends and holidays at this location.

The trail remains closed between Moore Haven and Uncle Joe’s Fish Camp/Liberty Point to accommodate replacement of Culverts 1 and 1A, and between Belle Glade and Port Mayaca for replacement of Culverts 11 and 16 as well as ongoing work associated with the recently installed cutoff wall.

Contractors are using heavy construction vehicles and large equipment within all of these areas. Truck traffic on the roads is a constant flow, and any additional traffic on the narrow trail or dike crest poses a safety hazard for recreationists and equipment operators.

“We recognize the inconvenience caused by these closures,” said Robert Schnell, assistant chief of the Corps’ South Florida Operations Office (SFOO) in Clewiston, “however, safety for our workers and the general public is something we take very seriously. We want to keep people out of harm’s way when necessary, but we are always pleased to announce improvements and the re-opening of sections of the trail for public use.”

For additional information, please visit the Jacksonville District website at http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/LakeOkeechobeeScenicTrail.aspx.