The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has awarded approximately $32 million in grants for state highway projects that are designed to support economic development in addition to updating the states transportation system.
The grants come from Minnesota’s Transportation Economic Development (TED) program through a partnership with the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
“For every public dollar we invest, Minnesota’s Transportation Economic Development program leverages an additional three dollars in economic development investment,” says Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “These are great projects, but they don’t come close to meeting our need for a sustainable, comprehensive solution to Minnesota’s transportation challenges. If we want to grow jobs and our economy, we need a statewide transportation system that works everywhere, for Minnesotans and Minnesota businesses.”
A few of the projects receiving TED grants include:
I-494 – East Bush Lake Road – $8 million
Constructs a new ramp providing westbound access to I-494 from East Bush Lake Road, will alleviate traffic at the I-494/Hwy 100 interchange, and decrease travel time for a planned bus rapid transport.
MN 41 Expansion in Chaska – $3.5 million
Expands MN 41 from two to four lanes between US 212 & Pioneer Trail (CSAH 14), CSAH 14 is gateway from US 212 to bioscience, technology and manufacturing businesses with 5,000 high-paying jobs.
US 52-CSAH 42 Interchange Reconstruction – $3.1 million
Will provide four lanes on CSAH 42 through the interchange and add turning lanes, removes sight line issues with current interchange, will assist existing area trucking firms and a proposed new distribution facility adjacent to the interchange.
MN 36-Hadley Avenue Interchange – $4 million
Converts one of the last two signalized intersections on MN 36 within the I-494/I- 694 beltway to an interchange, provides tunnel under MN 36 for the Gateway State Trail.
US 169-MN 41 Interchange – $10 million
Constructs the US 169-MN 41 Interchange, employees use this interchange to access nearby jobs.
“Transportation investments support jobs, create vibrant communities and position businesses for the global economy,” says MnDOT Commissioner Charles Zelle. “MnDOT’s partnership with DEED and with the business community through the TED program has seen great results in promoting economic development all across the state.”
The TED grants, MNDOT says, will help leverage other federal, state, local and private funding for a total construction program of $137 million. The state funding comes from trunk highway dollars and DEED General Obligation Bonds.
More details are available here.
