BRAINERD — The city of Brainerd will not accept a grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Carbon Reduction Program to construct a pedestrian bridge across Highway 210 near Lum Park, as officials do not believe they would be able to complete the project in time required to use the funds.

“This doesn’t necessarily say that this is not a priority,” City Council President Mike O’Day said of the project.

Council members voted 5-1 Nov. 3 to reject the $1.33 million in grant funds, as the grant would require a 25% match from the city and for the project to be ready to go by the end of fiscal year 2026. That deadline, city staff said, would be a tough ask, as the city has yet to secure funding for the rest of the project, which is estimated to cost a total of roughly $6 million.

“If we

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