May 12 -- Zoo Interchange reconstruction likely will delay the extension of the Hank Aaron west of 94th Pl., according to trail manager Melissa Cook, of the Department of Natural Resources.

Reconstruction of the Zoo Interchange is scheduled to begin in 2012.

There are six overpasses or ramps will be demolished and rebuilt during the project that pass directly over the Hank Aaron trail, Cook said.

"That would be really problematic to have that interact with pedestrians and bicyclists,"she said.

The Hank Aaron Trail will be extended along an abandoned rail line that runs through the Veteran's Administration grounds to the Waukesha County line.

Cook made her comments during a recent meeting held to discuss changes to the Hank Aaron trail master plan.

Preliminary design and engineering will continue for the entire trail, she said.

"We're hoping, and what we're thinking, is that we would be able to build the trail at least out to 94th Place where it crosses the road at grade and then to plan another route that would function as a temporary route to get people through to the Oak Leaf Trail while this construction is going on," she said.

Melissa Cook discusses the impact of the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project on the Hank Aaron Trail.