The Minnesota Senate on Thursday approved a $1.36 billion infrastructure bonding bill that would deliver funding for flood prevention, roads and bridges, clean water, local roads and bridges, and other critical statewide infrastructure. The bill includes $5.269 million for improvements near Minnesota Highway 13 and Dakota Avenue, $2 million for a Dakota/Scott County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, and $600,000 for flood mitigation at McMahon Lake.
The bill also provides full, retroactive conformity to Section 179 of the federal tax code, a major reform that will allow farmers and other small business owners to deduct large equipment purchases. Section 179 conformity has been a top Senate Republican priority for several years.
“These are critical infrastructure needs in Scott County, and I am pleased to see them included in this year’s bonding bill. By investing in our infrastructure needs through bonding, we are making a long-term investment in our local economies. These investments will ultimately bring jobs and economic development to the region,” said Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake).
HIGHWAY 13/DAKOTA AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS
$5.269 million will be allocated to design and construct of local road improvements to support a programmed interchange at the intersection of Trunk Highway 13 and Dakota Avenue in Savage. Highway 13 serves a key freight connection between agricultural rich lands in southwestern Minnesota to the Ports of Savage. Approximately two million tons of material is shipped through the Ports of Savage annually from major operators including Cargill, CHS Inc., Bunge, and Superior Minerals. Ninety percent of the grain arrives at the ports by truck via Highway 13. Increased efficiency in the flow of commercial truck traffic will enhance freight mobility and improve safety along the Highway 13 corridor.
DAKOTA/SCOTT COUNTY HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY
$2 million will be allocated to acquire land, predesign, design, construct, and equip a new regional household hazardous waste collection and recycling facility.
Dakota County’s and Scott County’s existing household hazardous waste and recycling centers are insufficient to meet current and future needs. Dakota County’s facility already handles four times the capacity it was designed to accommodate, and Scott County’s program growth is projected to be 325% by 2030. In addition, the large geographical area of Scott County and Dakota County results in underserved areas.
MCMAHON LAKE FLOOD MITIGATION
$600,000 will be allocated to Scott County for publicly owned capital improvements to prevent or alleviate flood damage on McMahon Lake to homes and roads in the area.
HIGHWAY 169 PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS
$2 million will be allocated for the proposed US 169 pedestrian and bicycle overpass, which will provide a vital trail connection for regionally significant trail corridors within Shakopee and a direct connection to a Tier 1 Regional Bicycle Trail Network (RBTN). This new section of trail and pedestrian bridge is a Tier 2 RBTN Corridor and will eliminate a significant gap for pedestrians and bicyclists. In addition, the overpass will connect tens of thousands of residents to Valley Green Industrial Park, a major employment center.
LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES
In addition, the bill calls for $5 million for township road improvement grants, as well as $3 million for safe routes to school infrastructure improvements, $84 million for state road construction, and additional road and bridge funding for small communities, especially in Greater Minnesota – namely, $30 million for local bridge replacement and rehabilitation and $70 million for local road improvements.
The Senate’s bonding bill totals $1.13 billion in general obligation bonds, plus $300.3 million for trunk highway bonds, and focuses on key infrastructure needs that will get Minnesotans working, preserve the state’s assets, and stimulate the economy.