Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) is celebrating a strong result for Dodge and Olmsted County in the bonding bill that passed the legislature just before midnight on May 17. The bill delivers millions of dollars in state investment for roads, bridges, housing infrastructure, and historic preservation across southeast Minnesota.
"This is a great day for our Dodge and Olmsted Counties!" Sen. Nelson said. "These projects have been in the works for years in some cases, and finally getting them across the finish line will mean a lot to those of us who live, work, and drive here. I am proud we were able to find so much success in this year’s bonding bill."
Byron --- Highway 14 Interchanges at CSAH 3 and CSAH 5, $8 million
One of the biggest wins in the bill is $8 million for Olmsted County and the City of Byron to begin design work on new interchanges at the intersections of County State Aid Highway 3 and Trunk Highway 14, and CSAH 5 and TH 14. Both of those intersections have crash rates above the critical threshold, and approximately 170 accidents have occurred at these locations over the past ten years, including fatalities.
The new interchanges will replace dangerous at-grade crossings, including a railroad crossing, with grade-separated designs, eliminating traffic signals and significantly reducing the chance of serious crashes. The project will also open more than 300 acres of land for commercial and industrial development, and it would eliminate the only traffic signals on TH 14 between New Ulm and Rochester.
Stewartville --- 15th Avenue NE Improvements, $3.096 million
The bill includes just over $3 million for the City of Stewartville to pave and improve a roughly one-mile stretch of 15th Avenue NE, which runs through High Forest Township adjacent to the city. The project also addresses drainage problems at the intersection with 6th Street NE, including replacing culverts and storm sewers.
Olmsted County History Center Museum, $2.322 million
The History Center of Olmsted County is getting $2.322 million to rehabilitate, modernize, and expand its museum, education, and archival spaces. The building was originally constructed in 1973 with a projected 35-year lifespan, and it has needed near-constant maintenance for the past 15 years. Water leaks, humidity problems, and aging electrical, plumbing, and roof systems have put the facility and its irreplaceable historical archives at risk. Olmsted County's population has doubled since the museum was built, and this investment will help it serve the community for decades to come.
East Zumbro Sewer and Water, $13.224 million
The bill provides more than $13 million to the City of Rochester for the East Zumbro Sewer and Water project, which will upgrade sewer and water pipe infrastructure in southeast Rochester to unlock approximately 1,000 acres of developable land. Rochester's existing pipes in that part of the city were designed for a population of 120,000, a number the city has already surpassed.
Without this investment, new housing and commercial development would continue to be concentrated in one corner of the city. This project helps spread that growth more evenly and keeps Rochester competitive.
Local Road and Bridge Funding
Dodge and Olmsted County communities will also benefit from three statewide transportation funding programs included in the bill.
The Local Road Improvement Program received $47 million statewide. This program helps counties, cities, and townships pay for improvements on locally owned roads that carry significant traffic but fall outside the state highway system. Local governments apply for a share of the funding and put up a portion of the project cost themselves.
The Local Bridge Replacement Program received $25 million statewide. This program helps local governments replace or rehabilitate bridges that are structurally deficient. Counties and cities often cannot fund major bridge projects on their own, and this program covers a significant share of the cost based on bridge condition and road importance.
Township Road Aid received $3 million statewide. This funding goes directly to townships, Minnesota's most local level of government, to help maintain and improve rural roads and bridges. Townships have small tax bases and limited ability to raise revenue for major road work, so this aid is essential for keeping rural roads passable and safe.