Construction is in motion at Fort Snelling State Park in Minnesota, where a new bike path is taking shape to enhance access for outdoor enthusiasts. Designed to wind through lakes, prairies, and wooded terrain, the trail will soon offer a scenic route for riders of all skill levels. Assisting in the build, a Terramac RT14R crawler carrier is helping crews transport materials with speed and efficiency across sensitive terrain, while keeping the park’s natural environment intact. Once complete, this project will provide a safe, defined path for visitors to explore the park’s diverse landscapes like never before.
According to Terramac Operator, Eric Boxrucker, this project doesn’t come without its challenges.
“We are building a bike trail through the state park here. It is very untouched—there’s trees, we have natural creeks running through, rivers, and with that it was very soft. You know, there’s a lot of moisture in the ground. There’s constant water moving.”
“It’s not possible to get any dump trucks or other wheel machines back there. We’d have to float across and even fully loaded, we are floating right across all the ground and even if it sinks down a little bit, these tracks are just pulling us right out of it.”
The soft, sensitive terrain is exactly where the RT14R shines. Its low ground pressure and rubber tracks distribute weight evenly, allowing crews to “float” across areas where wheeled equipment would sink or cause damage—keeping the project moving efficiently while protecting the environment.
Boxrucker adds, “It’s got amazing power, we’re putting it to the max and it’s handling it all very well. Hands-down one of the best I have been in.”
As work continues, the combination of skilled operators and purpose-built equipment ensures the trail will be completed efficiently while protecting the park’s natural beauty. Visitors can look forward to riding through pristine landscapes, from shaded woods to open prairie, without even realizing the complex work that made it possible.
