A new program from Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) to bolster roads in townships throughout Minnesota was included in the Senate’s $998 million infrastructure bonding bill, which was unveiled to the public Saturday morning.
“This is terrific for the more than 2,700 townships in Minnesota,” said Sen. Jasinski. “In many cases, the lack of reliable roads makes it much more difficult for township residents to participate in our 21st Century economy, let alone thrive. This township road development program will make life much, much easier for residents of these townships throughout the state.”
The bill calls for $8 million for a new Township Road Improvement Grant Program, with an advisory committee consisting of township officers and engineers who work in townships to provide recommendations on which projects are the most in need of funding. Considerations will include the availability of other funding; the effectiveness of the program in eliminating an existing deficiency; the number of people who will be positively impacted by the project; the project’s contribution to economic development or redevelopment, including agriculture, logging, and mining operations; and the ability of the town to provide for the safe operation and maintenance of the road upon the project’s completion.
The bill also includes Sen. Jasinski’s bills to provide additional road and bridge funding for small communities, especially in Greater Minnesota – namely, $25 million for local bridge replacement and rehabilitation and $80 million for local road improvements.
In addition, Sen. Jasinski’s bill to provide $1.5 million for asset preservation at the Minnesota Academies for the Deaf and Blind was included in the bill.
The Senate’s bonding bill totals $998 million in general obligation bonds, plus $400 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. The bill includes $688 million total bonds for transportation projects, $203 million for water treatment and infrastructure for communities to access clean water, and $105 million in economic development grants. To support higher education asset preservation – the maintenance of buildings and learning environments, $170 million is split equally between the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Universities.