The City of Marion, Linn County Trails Association, Chamber ambassadors and community leaders will celebrate the completion of a significant piece of the CeMar Trail Project — the reconstructed former railroad bridge spanning Indian Creek.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. on the former railroad bridge. Attendees are encouraged to park at Thomas Park, 343 Marion Blvd., since the only access to the bridge is via the trail on foot or by bicycle.

Once a staple in Marion, the Milwaukee Railroad served the community for decades. The bridge over Indian Creek was first built in 1915 and has been a sleeping giant since the final passenger train rolled through Marion in 1971.

The reconstructed bridge, using its original girders atop new piers, takes on new life with fresh pavement for pedestrians and bicyclists. Ornamental embellishments pay tribute to Marion’s railroad history. This portion of the trail will officially reopen after Monday’s ceremony, reinstating the Boyson Trail which has been closed for about a year.

The project is also an important connection along the Grant Wood Trail, which connects Cedar Rapids, Marion, and greater Linn County. Additional spurs are completed in Jones and Clinton counties, along a trail corridor intended to one day connect Cedar Rapids to the Mississippi River.

Work on Marion’s Central Corridor Project is advancing quickly, and will be the next segment of the Grant Wood Trail to open. Construction on a new bridge over Marion Boulevard will begin in the coming weeks and complete the trail’s connection from the former Lindale Trail (now the Grant Wood Trail) into Uptown Marion and onward to greater Linn County.

All are welcome! Please join us at this exciting event. RSVP on Facebook.