Minnesota DOT to allocate millions in grade-separation project funding

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will allocate $380 million to fund eight new infrastructure projects through the state’s Corridors of Commerce program, Gov. Tim Walz announced this week.

Included in the infrastructure work are five grade separation projects receiving a combined $259 million. Created by the Minnesota Legislature in 2013, the Corridors of Commerce program funds state highway projects that foster economic growth. The allocation announced this week is the fourth round of funding through the program, according to a press release issued by Walz’s office.

The rail-related projects and their funding amounts are:

• $78 million for grade separations from Quentin to Nicollet avenues along State Highway 13 in Savage and Burnsville;
• $60 million to construct a grade separation at highways 14 and 44 in Byron;
• $58 million to construct a grade separation at highways 371 and 210 in Baxter;
• $33 million to construct a grade separation at highways 23 and 9 in New London; and
• $30 million to construct grade separations from 103rd to 117th avenueson Highway 65 in Blaine.

"We’re making historic investments in our state’s transportation system to improve the safety and connectivity of communities across the state," Walz said.