Minn. Announces $300 Mln. in Freight Infrastructure Projects

Minnesota has announced that 10 highway projects will be funded under the $300 million Corridors of Commerce program created this year to help improve freight mobility across the state.

Gov. Mark Dayton (D) and state transportation officials unveiled the list of projects at a news conference Nov. 14. The 10 were chosen from among 400 proposals submitted by local governments and transportation stakeholders.

“These projects will reduce travel times and improve safety for Minnesota citizens, and help our businesses transport their products more efficiently,” Dayton said.

“The number of projects from all over our state, which sought financing from this program, underscores the acute need for more transportation funding,” he added.

Freight haulers were pleased to see the funds being distributed, Minnesota Trucking Association President John Hausladen said.

“The northwest metro corridor is an especially heavy truck route and will benefit greatly from the extension of Highway 610 to Interstate 94,” Hausladen said.

The Highway 610 connection is the most expensive project among the 10, with an estimated cost of $103 million to $131 million, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Located on the northwestern edge of the Minneapolis metro area, the Highway 610 connection from Hennepin County Road 81 to Interstate 94 will be able to carry 50,000 vehicles a day, alleviating traffic on the two major routes in the area, I-94 and I-694, MnDOT said.