Infastructure bill championed by Sen. Nelson signed into law, includes full HWY 14 expansion

Senator Carla Nelson applauded the Minnesota Legislature’s bipartisan “bricks and mortar” infrastructure bill that was signed into law by Governor Dayton on Wednesday, May 30. The bill prioritizes critical road repairs, safe schools, essential infrastructure, care for veterans, people with mental health emergencies, and many local Rochester-area projects. Significantly, the bill includes full funding for the completion of the Highway 14 four-lane expansion project.

“After Governor Dayton’s Department of Transportation failed to deliver a single cent towards Highway 14 through their initial round of Corridors of Commerce funding, I publicly called for bonding dollars to fund the desperately needed project,” said Senator Nelson, a member of Senate Capital Investment Committee responsible for crafting the infrastructure legislation Dayton signed into law. “This bill delivers on that promise and will improve safety on Highway 14 and strengthen a vital artery of commerce through Southern Minnesota. We have been waiting decades for this project to be completed, and my Republican colleagues and I got the job done.”

The bill also includes $25 million for school districts to make school safety-related structural improvements, and funds three new veterans homes, including one in Preston, MN, among other crucial investments in Southern Minnesota.

“Taking care of our children and taking care of our returned American heroes is, and always has been, a priority of mine. I’m proud that our bonding bill funds three new veterans homes and will allow school districts to make the much-needed upgrades that they feel are necessary to keep our children safe.”

Other projects funded through this bill:

  • $129.2 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements
  • Chester Woods State Trail construction and paving
  • Lake Zumbro dredging and sediment removal
  • Funding for Rochester Community and Technical College facility upgrades
  • Funding for regional mental health crisis centers

“By prioritizing critical road and bridge repairs, statewide sewer and water infrastructure, and care for our elders, schools, veterans, and our neighbors with mental health emergencies, this bill invests in the core values of Minnesotans,” concluded Senator Nelson.

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